Thomas Harvey Arrington

Mr. Thomas Harvey Arrington, 82, of Olin, passed away unexpectedly early Saturday morning, April 4, 2015 at Davis Regional Hospital. Mr. Arrington, most often referred to as "Tom", "Tommy", or "PawPaw" to his granddaughter and great grandchildren, was born in Iredell County on October 24, 1932. He was the son of the late Morgan Thomas Arrington and Winnie McHargue Arrington. He was a graduate of Iredell County Schools. On December 22, 1949, Mr. Arrington was married to Rachel Prevette Arrington, his wife of 63 years, who preceded him in death. He formerly owned Arrington Texaco on East Main Street in Lincolnton, NC where he worked closely with his son, Steven Thomas Arrington. Mr. Arrington was employed at Superior Tire in Statesville, NC, and co-owned Economy Tire, also in Statesville. After owning his own businesses, he became an employee of the State of North Carolina where he served as a Correctional Officer for 10 years. He was a friend to all, and never had anything negative to speak of anyone around him. He took his Christianity very seriously in his membership at New Prospect Baptist Church. Along with his parents, Mr. Arrington was preceded in death by his wife, Rachel Prevette Arrington, his daughter Cynthia Robyn Arrington Bell, and his son, Steven Thomas Arrington. In addition to his children and wife, he was preceded in death by his two brothers Elmer and Harold Arrington. Mr. Arrington is survived by his granddaughter, Katie Marie Garner and her husband, Donald Garner of Indian Trail. In addition, he is survived by two great-grandchildren, Sean Thomas Stanley (namesake to his great-grandfather) and Reagan Quinn Stanley, as well as two more great-grandchildren by his granddaughters' marriages, Oceann Stanley and Emily Garner. As well as the above, he is survived by a son-in-law, Steve Bell of Statesville, a daughter-in-law Jane Arrington of Matthews, NC, one sister, Clara Welborn of Statesville, one sister-in-law, Annie Arrington of Statesville, one step-granddaughter, Leah Page of WV and number of nieces and nephews. Further, he is survived by a close family friend to which the family is beyond grateful for his help and love to "Tommy" and Rachel, Mike Hernandez, of Statesville. Funeral Services will for Mr. Arrington will be conducted at 3:00 pm on Sunday, April 12, 2014 at New Prospect Baptist Church with Rev. Joey Campbell and Rev. Josh Byrd officiating. The family will visit with friends from 1:30 until 3:00 pm prior to the service in the fellowship hall. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Afterglow "I'd like the memory of me to be a happy one. I'd like to leave an Afterglow of smiles when life is done. I'd like to leave an echo whispering softly down the ways of happy times and laughing times and bright and sunny days. I'd like the tears of those who grieve, to dry before the sun of happy memories that I leave behind when the day is done." -Helen Lowrie Marshall Memorials may be made to New Prospect Baptist Church, 509 Prospect Road, Statesville NC, 28625. Online condolences can be made to the family at www.nicholsonfunerals.com/obituaries and Nicholson Funeral Home is serving the family of Mr. Thomas Arrington.