Caius Jaymes Arrington, age 20, of Mitchell County (and his girlfriend Delaney Leierzapf, of Cary) was tragically taken away after a car accident on Thursday, July 6, 2023.
Born on December 2, 2002 in Buncombe County, he was the son of Samad Arrington and Sarah McLain Peterson. He was preceded in death by his grandmother, Vicki Snipes.
Caius was a 2021 graduate of Mitchell High School where he was a four-year letterman in varsity basketball and a two-year letterman in varsity football. At the end of his decorated high school basketball career he had scored 1,089 points, grabbed 713 rebounds (which ranks first in the school’s history) and dished out 215 assists. He was a three-time Western Highlands All-Conference performer and the Western Highlands Conference Player of the Year as a Senior. In varsity football he recorded 106 tackles as a junior, had 13 tackles for lost yardage and 20 quarterback hurries. During his shortened senior season due to COVID restrictions he had 29 tackles and had a 73-yard touchdown reception. At the end of his senior year in 2021, he was voted the Western Highlands Conference Male Athlete of the Year.
Even though Caius was an amazing athlete, he was a better person. This is evidenced by the outpouring of love shown to him on Sunday July 9th during his Honor Walk, where Caius gave hope and life to others through the selfless gift of organ donation. Caius was not only a hero in life, but also in his tragic death. He was known as a Big Brother to all, he made everyone feel included and special. He loved his friends and family fiercely and always put them before himself. He was a natural caregiver and his smile and laughter will remain in the hearts and memories of all who knew him. He loved playing basketball, video games, listening to music and his impeccable style was always on point. Caius had met the love of his life, Delaney Leierzapf, whom his world revolved around. The two of them were inseparable in life and will remain together, forever in Heaven.
Left to cherish his memory is his mother; Sarah Peterson of Spruce Pine; his father; Samad Arrington and siblings of Asheville; his brother; Asa Peterson of Spruce Pine; his grandfather; Steve Snipes of Spruce Pine, and a host of additional family and friends.
The memorial service for Caius will be held on Sunday, July 16, 2023 at 2:30 pm in the gym on the campus of Mitchell High School with the Rev’s. Russell McKinney, Nathan Silver, and Larry Greene officiating.
The gym will be open beginning at 1:00 pm Sunday for the visitors to begin seating for the memorial service set to begin at 2:30 pm. The family will arrive at 2:30 pm. The Mitchell Mountaineer family is encouraged to wear your purple in support of Caius’ family.
A scholarship has been established in Caius’ honor. The family has requested that in lieu of flowers, donations to be made to the Caius Arrington Scholarship fund, C/O Mitchell High School Athletic Department, 416 Ledger School Road, Bakersville, NC 28705.
Words of comfort may be e-mailed to the family by going to our website; www.webbfh.com, selecting Caius Arrington’s name and then you may sign his guestbook.
Webb Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements for Caius and is honored to be serving his family.
Caius’ obituary has also been posted on Facebook for viewing.
