Arlen W. Flippin

Well done, good and faithful servant”, were precious words that Arlen Wayne Flippin likely heard as he entered the gates of heaven Wednesday afternoon. He passed away peacefully in his Monroe, North Carolina home, on April 28, 2021, surrounded by his loving family. We are sure that he not only shook the hand of Jesus, but probably lovingly slapped him on the back as a sign of love and friendship. He is Home, after fighting the good fight against pancreatic cancer, diagnosed last December. Wayne was born in Rural Hall, North Carolina on January 26, 1942 to J.W. and Prudence Flippin, inheriting his Dad’s fine dance moves and work ethic, and his mom’s spirit and strong-will. His movie star good looks were aptly named after two of his mother’s favorite movie stars of the day, Richard Arlen, and John Wayne. Wayne spent his youth in Winston Salem, North Carolina, and was a graduate of Gray High School in 1960, where he earned the superlative of “Biggest Flirt”, in his senior year. Needless to say, he lived up to that title throughout his life. He snared the love of his life, Belinda, by purposely planting a dropped notebook at her feet, covered with accolades like “Belinda is beautiful”, “I love Belinda”, and “WF + BC”. That smooth move sealed the deal, and they dated all through high school and then college, where Belinda earned her PHT (Putting Hubby Through). He graduated from East Carolina University in 1964, with a BA in geography, making the Dean’s List several times, but only after Belinda married him and “straightened him out”.