Mary "Maggie" Earles Arrington

Elon: Mary “Maggie” Earles Arrington, 80, went home to be with her Lord on Saturday, November 12, 2016 at Heartland Living & Rehab Center in Greensboro. The Celebration of Life service will be held on Wednesday, November 16, 2016 at 2:00 PM at Wilkerson Funeral Home with Rev. Paul Speagle and Rev. Harold Thompson officiating. Burial will follow at Reidlawn Cemetery. Mary was born May 31, 1936 in Rockingham County to the late Claytus and Gracie Earles. She was a loving and devoted daughter, sister, and chosen mother for Joey, her son. Joey spent almost 27 years in group homes, yet after Mary’s retirement, she brought him home to live with her and she devoted her life to his care for the next 18 years. Mary faced many hardships in her life, but her outlook on life and infectious laugh were contagious to all and improved life for herself and others. Mary and Joey loved their trips to Maggie Valley, Vero Beach, Florida and the North Carolina coast, and she constantly talked of going back to each place. Along with her parents, Mary was preceded in death by her son, Joey Arrington; brother, Claytus Earles, Jr.; sister-in-law, Mary “Sis” Earles; and brother-in-law, Doug Land. Surviving are sisters: Shelby Paschal and husband, Rogers; and Lorene Land both of Reidsville; brother, Ralph Earles of Louisiana; and sister-in-law, Katherine Earles; and numerous nieces and nephews; and very special friends: Amy Gailey, Dot Goouch and Sue Parsons. Visitation for family and friends will take place at Wilkerson Funeral Home on Tuesday, November 15, 2016 from 6:00 till 8:00 PM; other times at Lorene Land’s home (936 Grooms Road, Reidsville). Memorial Contributions may be made to the Evangelical Methodist Church of Gibsonville, 407 Bethel Road, Gibsonville, NC 27249. A special thanks goes to Amy Southard (RN), Willa and Monica of Hospice and Palliative Care of Guilford County, Joann Gibson (RN) and Wade Lanier (RN), and CNA’s Janet Thomas, Faith Lowe, Susan Shultz, Barbara Bland, Mary Boone and Beverly Richmond of Heartland Nursing Facility. Wilkerson Funeral Home is assisting the family and condolences may be made to the family at www.wilkersonfuneral.com