Marjorie Ann (Heath) Arington was born to Noah and Margaret (Hurley) Heath on April 21, 1932, in the Dogwood community. She passed away on September 8, 2020, at the East Prairie Nursing Center after a long-term illness.

Marjorie grew up on her family's farm in Dogwood surrounded by a large extended family. She was an avid elementary student in Dogwood School and was graduated first in her class at Diehlstadt High School in 1950. Marjorie attended business courses in St. Louis, preparing for a six-decade career in agribusiness.

On September 23, 1950, Marjorie was united in marriage to Billy Vernon "Bill" Arington at Dogwood United Methodist Church. They lived briefly in Alaska while Bill served in the Army. The Aringtons then returned to Dogwood to engage in farming.

Marjorie's eye for detail and her belief that anything worth doing was worth doing well made her an essential part of several organizations. Throughout her life, she was the diligent bookkeeper for both Dogwood Store and for B & R Farms. When Bill passed away, Marjorie assumed his role on the Citizens Bank Board of Directors. She also continued her late mother's mission by serving on the Board of Directors for the Kenny Rogers Cerebral Palsy Center in Sikeston, Mo. When someone was in need in the community, Marjorie always quietly took the initiative and helped.

All were welcome in Marjorie's home, and she was happiest being a gracious provider. She carried on her mother's beloved tradition of hosting Sunday lunches for her extended family, peeling and mashing enough potatoes to feed a crowd of 30 or more before heading to church to teach Sunday School. It seems everyone in the county has taken a swim in Marjorie's pool, the home of countless birthday parties, Bible School events, and family reunions. Family friends came to love her for her hospitality and adopted her as their "MaMa," too.

Her family joked that before most people started their days, Marjorie could clean her house spotless, prepare the farm payroll, hem a prom dress, try out her latest kitchen gadget, and slap away the hand of her "favorite child," Dr. Jimmy Heath, as he dipped his fingers into whatever she had cooking. And for all her efficiency, she still made room for joy. Her laugh was truly contagious.

Marjorie was preceded in death by her husband, Bill Arington, her son, Randy Arington, her infant sister, Martha Faye Heath, her brother Kenneth Ray Heath, and her daughter-in-law, Glenda (Stockman) Arington — all of Dogwood.

Survivors include her daughters Sandy (Arington) Bain and her husband Stuart of Dogwood, Carol (Arington) Morris and her husband Jerry of East Prairie, Mo., and Claudia Arington (wife of the late Randy Arington) of Dogwood. Her grandchildren are Leslie (Arington) Allgier and her husband John of Dogwood, John Arington and his wife Lauren of Dogwood, Paul Moore of Charleston, Mo., Stephanie (Moore) Wirken and her husband Chris of Prairie Village, Kan., Dr. Justin Bain and his wife Jessica of Dogwood, Chris Morris and his wife Teresa of Dogwood, and Lyndsi (Morris) Lee and her husband Alex of Dogwood. Her great-grandchildren are Laurann Allgier, Layne Allgier, Camrynn Arington, Cadence Arington, Harrison Moore, Nicholas Wirken, Delaney Bain, Arington Bain, Will Bain, Taryn Morris, and Anna Kate Lee. Marjorie is also mourned by her sister Brenda Morris of Sikeston, Mo., her sister-in-law, Nancy (Heath) Moore of Charleston, Mo., her brother-in-law, Arlie Arington of Cucamonga, Calif., and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

The outdoor graveside service will be Sunday evening, September 13, 2020, at 6:30 p.m. at Dogwood Cemetery. Brian Abbott, pastor of the Dogwood United Methodist Church, will officiate.

Pallbearers will be her grandchildren and honorary pallbearers will be her nephews.

Interment will follow under the direction of McMikle Funeral Home of Charleston.

Memorial Contributions may be given to the Dogwood United Methodist Church, c/o Tammi Hutcheson, 204 S. 411 ^th Road, East Prairie, MO   63845.