Mrs. Archie B. Harrington

Archie B. Harrington, affectionately known by her grandchildren as “Baby” was born on April 12, 1930 in Moro Bay Arkansas. She was the youngest of five siblings born to the union of the late James and Rose Ann Jones in Moro Bay, Arkansas. As a small child, she and her parents moved to California where she received her formal education in the California School system. As a young adult she rejoined her siblings and moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Her live as a mother: She had two children, James Henry Brown, Jr. (deceased) and Gloria Jeanne Brown. She was a dedicated grandmother supporting her daughter as a young mother. She spent countless hours with her grandchildren teaching them life lessons, taking them to church, playing cards and board games, and supporting their academic and athletic accomplishments. In her later years, she and her grandchildren would host a weekly conference call to share the events of their lives and pray together Her life as a Christian: As a child she accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior and began serving him in the local church. When she moved to Milwaukee she united with New Hope Missionary Baptist Church. She sang in the Choir, participated in in Sunday school, and served on the usher board. She walked with The Lord daily, sending hours studying the Word of God researching prayer journals. Her life as the first lady: From 1970 to 1988 she served as the Pastor’s wife and first lady of the Mt. Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Church organized and founded by her husband the late Dr. C.V. Harrington. As the First Lady of the Church she developed many church auxiliaries and programs for the youth and adults. She directed and organized Sunday school, Vacation Bible School, Ushers, Angel Choir, Youth Choir, Adult Choir, Matrons, Mission and Mother’s Board. For 12 years she taught the coveted 15-19 year old Sunday School class. Under her leadership the youth choir reached a membership of over 100 children. She taught many children how to sing, trained many bible teachers, musicians, choir directors and women’s groups at other churches in Milwaukee. In the mid 1980’s she organized a citywide worship service and challenge entitled, Arkansas & Mississippi Day. She had a deep and abiding commitment for the universal and local church. Her life as a mentor and friend: To many young people Baby was a mentor, a counselor, and confidant, a supporter, a mother, a friend and often a safe and trusted place to go. She loved children, teens and young adults and was passionate about their spiritual growth. She brought a sense of fun, laughter and creativity to everything she did. With patience and love she taught hundreds of young people how to serve in the church, how to understand biblical truths and led them to Salvation in Jesus Christ. Her life as a servant: After her tenure at Mt. Pilgrim, she fellowshipped with a number of local churches providing support to many young and newly appointed pastors and their families. She was a member of the Order of The Eastern Star, General Baptist State Convention of Wisconsin, and Progressive Baptist District. She received an honor from the now, Governor Scott Walker for her service to the community of which she was very proud. Her life as one who laughed: Baby had a fun-filled life full of many things she enjoyed. She was a sports fanatic and could spend hours watching professional and college sports. She was a loyal fan of the L.A. Dodgers, L. A. Lakers, and the San Francisco 49ers and Alabama State University Hornets. She enjoyed cooking, baking pies, singing, gospel music, listening to talk radio, fishing, playing games with her grandsons, and dinners at her nieces’ homes and traveling to Atlanta. She quickly mastered any card or board game, would win and happily tease the losers. Her Life in legacy: On Friday, September 27, 2013 she peacefully transitioned from this life to heaven. She was preceded in death by her parents, James and Rode Ann Jones; her sisters, Kather Lee Walter, Vernesia Braggs, Maria Fisher; brother, Attorney Leroy Jones; and her son, James Henry Brown, Jr., and her husband, Pastor Calvester Virgil Harrington. Continuing her legacy is her beloved daughter, Gloria J. Brown of Milwaukee, WI; and her cherished grandchildren, Jeannine K. Brown of Atlanta, GA, Travis A. Brown of Milwaukee, WI, Trevor A. Brown (Andrea) of Redding, CA, Jason A. Presley-Brown of Atlanta, GA, Patrice Brown of Milwaukee, WI, Derrick Brown of Milwaukee, WI and Brian Brown of Milwaukee, WI. She has a host of great grandchildren, two of which she has shared many loving memories, Jazmyne T. Brown of Dallas, TX and Sophia Grace Brown of Redding, CA. She was adored by generations of nieces, nephews, cousins, church family and friends. We will miss so many of her special traits. What we will miss most is her beautiful smile, her jolly laughter, her singing and her special ability to make everyone feel like the most important person in her life. Her life was one that was “well lived.”

Mrs. Archie B. Harrington

April 12, 1930 - September 27, 2013