The ARRINGTON-BARTON Family
by Wayne E. Arrington, Sr. & Family

Wayne Elvin Arrington (b: 8-11-1938) and Thelma Mae Barton (b: 2-19-1938, d: 10-16-2001) were married 2-11-1956, in Pineville, WV. They spent forty-five years together and raised five children until Thelma's death: Beverly, Wayne "Pete", Jr, Bill, Lisa and Joseph.

Wayne is the son of H.W. and Daphna (Pigg) Arrington, Jr.. He was born in Rock, but grew up in Covel, in Wyoming Co. He attended and played sports for Herdon High School where he met and married Thelma, a cheerleader. Wayne tried his hand in the coal mines, but found more opportunities in the construction field. He worked in many of the states along the eastern seaboard helping to build airports, bridges and roads, before settling down with his family in Princeton around 1964. He worked for the Department of Highways while East River Mountain Tunnel was being built and helped in the development of Route 460, the Brush Creek relocation and I-77. He worked for Compton Construction Company as a superintendent on many projects, like Green Valley-Glenwood PSD, in West Virginia and many large water and water treatment projects in nearby states.

Born in Hemphill, WV, Thelma was one of twelve children born to Bill and Fannie Barton of Wyoming Co. Her people were said to have originally come from Kentucky or Tennessee. She talked of her brothers pushing her into the Tug River to make her learn to swim. She did become an excellent swimmer, saving two people from drowning in her lifetime (as witnessed by her daughter Beverly), not counting the numerous times she pulled her own fearless son Pete out of the drink. Thelma was a devoted and loving mother and homemaker. She was an energetic volunteer for her children's many school and extra curricular activities. Thelma was an avid reader, especially Civil War history, classic books and poetry. She also loved all sports, from baseball, to car racing, to camping with her family.

Thelma's siblings: Samuel, Elmer, Richard, Bill, Charles, Ann, Gerlene, Margaret and Betty Jean (a sister and brother both died in infancy).

Genealogy into the Barton family has proven very difficult. Anyone having information they would like to contribute, please contact Wayne or Bev.

All five of Wayne and Thelma's children moved out of state to pursue work or school related interests. Wayne feels that it is ironic that his ancestors migrated to Mercer County to find work and a better life, and after five generations, his children have left West Virginia for the same reasons. Wayne and his mother Daphna are all that remain of their immediate family in Mercer County now.

Wayne is researching his family's various genealogical lines in his retirement and has helped to partially document several old cemeteries in the area and in Virginia, along with his cousins. Wayne is the researcher and owner of Arringtons.net. He can be reached through email at: wayne@arringtons.net