Addie Dorothy Palmer Arrington On Wednesday, February 22, 1933, Douglas Garrett and Addie Beatrice Harrison Palmer had no idea that the baby girl born to them at their home on Church Hill Road in Sixpound Township, Macon, Warren County, North Carolina would become so determined and courageous. Dorothy, as she was known by her family, was the seventh of eight children. Dorothy received her early Christian education from loving parents and extended family centralized at the Pine Grove Missionary Baptist Church in Macon where she was active in Sunday School, church worship services and Baptist Training Union. This is where she confessed her love for Christ and was baptized. Dorothy received her academic education from Warren County, North Carolina schools. She received her high school diploma with the Class of 1951 at Warren County Training School in Wise, North Carolina. Dorothy aspired to do something special with her life, and vowed that upon graduation from Macon County Training School, she would pursue her dreams. Once Dorothy turned eighteen she headed straight for the bus station – Destination: Baltimore, Maryland. Dorothy’s first job as a newcomer to Baltimore was in retail where she took great pride in providing excellent customer care. Her love for people helped her find her niche in patient care in the medical field. She joined the staff at Baltimore City Hospital October 31, 1957 and worked there until March 13, 1973 as a Nurse’s Aide. City Hospital changed leadership twice later becoming Francis Scott Key Medical Center which formerly recognized her excellent service in 1989. Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center recognized her May 1, 1996 for the previous additional five years of service to their patients. On April 18, 1993 she joined the Garden of Prayer Baptist Church under the leadership of Bishop Melvin B. Tuggle, II who recognized her March 25, 2007 as “Mother Addie Arrington”. She was a faithful member of the Senior Usher Board, Missionary Board and the Mother’s Board. She enjoyed the time that she spent with her sisters in the church. Addie lived by the slogan of the Garden, “A church where love grows.” Addie was filled with love and shared this love wherever she went. Addie always displayed a warm and contagious smile. Taking great pride in her appearance Addie would never be caught outside without her naturally curly hair, lipstick and nails done to perfection. Addie believed in a good appearance because she would say, “You never know who you are going to see when you step out your door”. Her interests included attending Church, participating in family functions, gardening, sewing by hand, raising guppies, reading and completing jig-saw, Search and Seek puzzles. Her family loved for her to make minced pork barbecue and her famous deviled eggs. She devoted much of her time and energy as a caregiver to family members and friends. Her time spent with her grandsons as sickly children was immeasurable. If one of granny’s babies was sick, she would not hesitate to be with them whether at home or in the hospital. Addie was overwhelmed with joy that she lived to see the first black president of the United States of America, Barack Obama. She was an avid baseball and an even bigger football fan. She loved rooting for the Orioles and the Ravens, especially Ray Lewis. Addie loved watching the Dr. Phil show. She was fascinated with all of the new parenting and discipline techniques that are offered to children today. She would often discuss how different her experiences were as a child having to pick out her own punishment switches from the hedges near the home. She discussed how her mother discovered her attempt to weaken the switch only to be sent back to get a stronger one. After 79 years on Earth and with family by her side, Addie Dorothy Palmer Arrington went home to be with her heavenly father on Wednesday, July 18, 2012 at 9:24 in the morning at Mercy Medical Center in Baltimore, Maryland. Addie concluded this life knowing that she possessed dignity, integrity, pride, humility, charisma, authenticity, wisdom and love. Who was she? Addie was a caregiver and close friend to many at the Harford Commons Community Senior Center. She was a mother figure to Kelly Archer and the “Chilton Street” boys who were Lonnie, Shorty, Mike, Donnell, Dirt, Slug, Boog, Delly, Antoine, and Zipp. Addie was known on Chilton Street for her famous Kool-Aid. Kaelyne and CaMaury looked forward to days off from school so that granny could fry them some of her famous chicken and homemade iced tea. She devoted much of her time and energy as a caregiver to family members and friends. She was a confidante and best friend to Evelyn Dorsey. No, Who is she? She is Addie Dorothy Palmer Arrington - a mother, grandmother, god-mother, sister, aunt, cousin and friend. She is a virtuous woman. Addie is walking around heaven with those who preceded her in death: husband, Joseph Arrington(1983); granddaughter, Adrienne DeNita Michelle Rogers(2008); parents,Addie Beatrice Harrison(1990) and Douglas Garrett Palmer(1981); brothers, Horace Eugene Palmer(1922), James William Palmer, Sr.(1995), Oliver Ross Palmer, Sr.(1993) and Lesner Harrison Palmer, Sr.(1996) and sister Martha Valrie Palmer Greene(2010). “A.A.’s” fond memories will be cherished by her: daughter and son-in-law, Monica Iris Rogers and James Rogers, Jr. of Charlotte, North Carolina; son and daughter-in-law Carlton Patrick Arrington, Sr., and Katrina C. Arrington of Baltimore, Maryland; the loves of her life, six grandchildren; Ivey Dianah Zsanelle Rogers, Keyona Da'Shawn Arrington, Carlton Patrick Arrington, Jr., Claire Angelina Marie Rogers, Kaelyne Cai’ree Arrington, and “Granny’s baby”, CaMaury Phillip Arrington. Dorothy leaves to mourn their loss two older sisters, Alice Mayola Palmer Banks of Charlotte, N.C. and Edna Virginia Palmer Howell of Norfolk, Virginia. Aunt Dorothy will be missed by: six nephews, Hubert Elton Banks, Ervin Palmer, James Gary Palmer, Eric Howell, Lesner Harrison Palmer, Jr. and Raynard Valente’ Palmer; seven nieces, Alice Ophelia Banks Taylor, Constance G. Banks, Addie Palmer Green, Jane Elice Palmer Richardson, Diane Palmer, LaVerne Palmer Fullard and Ramona Palmer Scott. She also leaves many paternal and maternal cousins and a host of friends.