Mrs. Jean Wells Arrington passed into the Glory of Heaven Sunday night, December 11, 2022, as her children and grands sang favorite hymns and Christmas carols to complete her journey.

Jean was born in Memphis, TN, July 20, 1928, to William Ervin "Buck" and Ruth Wells Benoist.  She married her true love, Smiley Eugene Arrington, December 19, 1948.  They were married 57 years, until his death in 2005, and they birthed four children.

Jean grew up in Coffeeville, graduating from Coffeeville High School.  As a young girl, she learned and mastered piano, organ and vocal music.  She was an education graduate from Delta State University.  She began a career teaching grammar school, where she made a lifelong impact on hundreds of children.  Jean taught in Hollandale, Grenada and Coffeeville School Districts.  She and husband, Smiley, were always buying lunches, coats, shoes or whatever else was needed for a school child.  Many grownups would still come to tell her that she was their favorite teacher of all time.

Jean served as the organist at Hollandale Baptist Church and later at Coffeeville First Baptist Church.  She was still playing the organ in her 80s.  She always gave the pay back to her church and said that was her service to the Lord.  She and Smiley served the church as youth Sunday School teachers.  A favorite time each year was to take the youth Christmas caroling.

Jean was a busy mom, not only raising her children, but entertaining the whole neighborhood crew.  She also treated them with love and caring.

Jean was a faithful servant of the Lord and was always concerned about others.  She gave away 30+ Jesus Calling books as a favorite project.  She spent much time reading, much time doting over her grands and great-grands, and much time shopping.  She never stopped going places, even at 94.

Jean was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Smiley Arrington; two brothers, Max E. Benoist and Billy Benoist and granddaughter, Julie Anderson.

She leaves to treasure many precious memories and carry on her legacy, four children, Joy Anderson(Jon) of Robinson, IL, Jan Dean Wortham(Tyler) of Coffeeville, Jill Clark(Hal) of Water Valley, and Smiley Arrington(Debra) of Coffeeville; seven grandchildren, Emily W. Canterbury(Keith), Tyler Wortham, III(Dawn), Jay Anderson(Trish), Chessie Clark Berg(Lane), Blayne Clark, Morgan A. Myers(Anthony) and Smiley Arrington, III(Whitney).  She also leaves four great-grandchildren, Landon Wortham, Luke Anderson, Remington Wortham and Demu Berg along with two great-grandsons on the way.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM Friday, December 16, 2022 from the Sanctuary of Coffeeville First Baptist Church with Rev. Craig Baker and Rev. Truman Scarborough officiating.  Interment will follow in the Coffeeville Cemetery.  The family will receive friends from 5:00 – 8:00 PM Thursday evening and one hour prior to the service Friday all at Coffeeville First Baptist Church.

Pallbearers will be Keith Canterbury, Tyler Wortham, III, Jay Anderson, Blayne Clark, Landon Wortham, Smiley Arrington, III and Anthony Myers.  Honorary Pallbearers will be Tyler Wortham, Jon Anderson and Hal Clark.

The family expresses deepest appreciation to those who have helped make her days and years the best.  Rubie Brown, Betty Jean Lee, Whitney R. Crow, DNP, Dr. Paul Odom, Dr. Heidi Pratt and the staff of Yalobusha General Hospital.

Memorials may be directed to Coffeeville First Baptist Church or the charity of your choice.

Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.mckibbenandguinn.com .

Arrangements have been entrusted to McKibben and Guinn Funeral Service in Grenada, (662-307-2694).