Elizabeth Arrington retiring after more than 36 years with Liberty

More than 36 years ago, Elizabeth Arrington took on a job with Jerry Falwell Ministries. Later, she moved on to the Liberty University Post Office. Over the years she formed very close bonds with many of her fellow employees. On Friday, she said goodbye. And that wasn’t easy.

“Excited and sad, (I had) mixed feelings,” Arrington said.

Phone calls and visitors streamed in all day, some who haven’t worked on Liberty’s campus in years, to offer congratulations.

“Many of them used to call me mom,” Arrington said. “It’s hard being so far away from your family, so I would just talk to them and listen to them. I hope I helped.”

Did she ever.

“She’s an institution,” Robert Boyer with university services said. “Liz has always been there. She became a surrogate grandmother for many employees. She is a sweet, tender-hearted lady and we will definitely miss her.”

Liberty President Jerry Falwell himself even made a surprise visit, to wish Arrington all the best.

“It’s like Christmastime, the excitement you get,” Arrington said.

As for her future, Arrington describes her life as an open slate that the Lord is going to fill.

“But I’ll miss my Liberty family,” she said.