Our dear Mother, was born on July 24, 1936, in Loa, Utah to William and Mable Potter and is the youngest of 11 children. Virgie graduated from Wayne High School, she played the Saxophone in the Marching Band and was crowned Miss Wayne County. She went on to attend Utah State University where she met Ralph M. Arrington, her shiny dark pony-tail caught his eye. Virgie and Ralph were married on June 22, 1956 in the Manti, Utah Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saint Temple. Virgie and Ralph are the proud parents of 6 daughters, Connie Snyder (Scott L. Snyder), Sally Tackett (John Tackett), Lisa Conterio, Brenda M. Graves (Jon R. Hinton), Nancy Brown (David Brown) and Amy Jo Halliday (Michael Halliday), and 27 Grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren.
Our Mother wore many aprons: seamstress, cook, singer, poem writer, and party planner. She loved a good project and was busy most of the time on a quilt to donate or give. She could handle a glue gun in any event. Music was a big part of her life. She was a patron of the Performing Arts. She encouraged her girls and grandchildren in piano, violin and other areas of the Arts. She loved to play her favorite tunes and could be caught dancing in the Kitchen. She loved life and all it had to offer! She knew how to paint a bench, mow the lawn and have a DUP meeting, in the “Sun Room”, that same day. Those who knew her well… know she loved a good party and a good story! She loved gardening and is famous for planting enough to enjoy and enough to give away (and that includes citrus). She was a farm girl at heart.
Our Mother was beautiful inside and out. She has many, many friends whom she loved dearly. Although, she would say, she was always the recipient of love, kindnesses and service. She loved visiting teaching, ministering and had 100% every month for her entire life.
Virgie loved the Gospel of Jesus Christ and served faithfully in many leadership positions in all auxiliaries. Our Parents served a mission at the Family History Center and later worked for many years as an ordinance workers. She donated many hours to Church service, community and other local charities. The tender mercies of God were with her during the last days of her life, and we are so grateful.
Visitation will be at 9:00 AM with services at 10:00 AM, Monday, March 18th at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1249 S. 48th St. in Mesa.
“Enjoy the Little Things in Life…for one day you’ll look back and realize they were the Big Things”.
Your mother was beautiful inside and out! Virgie always went the extra mile. She was my best friend though I have come to find out that many had the same feeling about your sweet mother. I am going to miss my best friend Virgie.
Please know how much we loved your mom. Virgie was the first person to greet us when we moved into the old 9th Ward back in 1970. Our Janet was only 3 years old at the time, but she quickly found a friend in Nancy. Those two were inseparable for years! So Virgie and I spent many hours carpooling the girls until they were old enough to ride bicycles to each others houses. Did we compare notes? Oh, yes! 🙂 I will miss her smile and her upbeat outlook on life. She truly is an angel and I’m quite sure she will continue to watch over her family.
I first met Virgie when I came over to the house to visit with Sally. She was stern, but kind. We soon became friends. I felt comfortable with her position as matriarch and as a recipient of her baking, especially the cinnamon rolls. With Ralph, the beautiful girls and the richness of the spirit, I had the sweet feeling of being in the midst of a perfect family, an impression I have to this very day. I had many a good discussion with Virgie and found that she was versed on many subjects. I felt that we were friends. Love to Virgie.