Mabel "Ruth" Arrington

On the evening of August 07, 2023, Mabel “Ruth” Arrington, age 85, transitioned peacefully to heaven while listening to a reading of Psalms.

Ruth and her siblings: Billie, Jimmy, Francis, Rodney, and Nancy were raised in Collinsville, Virginia, by their parents Oscar and Mable Mayhew. As a child, Ruth learned to cook and to sew, and found a lifelong hobby in each.

In 1954, Ruth’s love story began when she married L.D. Arrington.  During their 67 years of marriage, L.D. and Ruth grew their family, their business, and their involvement within the community. They say that behind every successful man stands a strong and supportive woman, and this was never more evident than in the case of Ruth and L.D. Together, they founded Arrington Enterprises, Inc. which now operates Dairy Queen, Bojangles, and Exxon locations across Southwest, VA, employing 250 team members.

Outside of work, Ruth enjoyed traveling the country with her husband in their motorhome, completing puzzles, and being outside. She was an active member of the congregation at Sandy Ridge Baptist Church, a donor for Planned Pethood of Franklin County, and a supporter of Children’s Miracle Network. Into her eighties, you could still find Ruth working the lobby, cleaning tables, and interacting with customers at Plateau Plaza.

Ruth’s love, light and legacy will continue to live on in the family she and L.D. raised, including their three children: David (Susan) Arrington, Deborah (Bill) Russell, and Doug (Karen) Arrington, their four grandchildren: Brian (Jonie) Arrington, Jaime (Scottie) Manning, Travis (Kyle) Russell, and Trent Russell, as well as their five great-grandchildren: Nicholas, Hunter, Madison, Taetym and Tannyr. 

The family would like to extend their deep appreciation for the excellent care and companionship provided by Josephine Moorman, LaShara Wade, Mae Conner, Pam Perdue, Sissy Jane Roberts, and Suzi Wright in Ruth’s most recent years.

May her memory remind each of us of the importance of faith, family, community, and honest, hard work.

Those wishing to pay their respects will find a registry to sign at Plateau Plaza beginning Thursday, August 10^th.

Funeral services will be conducted 2 PM Friday, August 11, 2023 at Sandy Ridge Baptist Church with Pastor Joe Dillon officiating. Interment will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service beginning at 1 PM at the church.

Arrangements by Conner-Bowman Funeral Home, 62 VA Market Place Drive, Rocky Mount, VA 24151.