Gloria J Armstrong

Gloria Jean Charles was born in Gurdon, Arkansas on January 3rd, 1937. She was the second child born to the union of Willard and Jewel Bozeman Charles. She accepted Christ at an early at Eastern Star Baptist Church. Mother Armstrong grew up in Gurdon and graduated from Henry Bell High School where she played basketball and was loved by many.

In 1958, Mother Armstrong moved to Seattle with family. She later met and married Mr. Claude Armstrong. To this union two children were born; Tony D. Armstrong and Patricia Yvette Armstrong. She also raised Patricia Grant.

Mother Armstrong had an extensive professional resume. Upon her arrival to Seattle, she worked odd jobs, and also worked with her Aunt Violet Ford at Kline Galland Nursing Home. She worked as a supervisor at Champion International and retired from Kenworth Trucking. In 1982, Mother Armstrong’s husband Claude passed. Later in life, she met Andrew Thompson and the two were married in September 2002. They remained married until his passing in 2014.

Mother Armstrong believed in family. She always talked about how we needed to stick together, and said “learn how to forgive, at the end of the day, that’s your family! You always do for family.” She was selfless and a giver, and always opened her home to family, and friends.

Upon moving to Seattle, she joined Shiloh Missionary Baptist under Reverend Ben Rhodes. At Shiloh, she served in many capacities including the finance committee, director of the Inspirational and Mass Choirs, advisor of the young adult ministry, head of the kitchen committee, and a member of the Pastor’s Aide. Upon the unction of the holy spirit, Mother Armstrong united with Greater New Bethel Baptist Church under Reverend Dana McClendon. There, she served as a trustee, a deaconess, a mother, and was affectionately called “The Warden.” She remained a member of Greater New Bethel for many years until her passing.

Mother Armstrong entered the gates of heaven as she departed this life Friday July 26th, 2019 at Swedish Hospital surrounded by her close family and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents Willard and Jewel Bozeman Charles, husband Andrew Thompson, sister Mary Dell, and Shirley Ann, brothers Willard Jr., Dexter, Bobby Joe, and Leon.

She leaves to cherish her memory her daughters, Patricia Yvette Armstrong and Patricia Grant, daughter-in-law Alice Armstrong, granddaughters Lasheika Armstrong-Barkowski (Asa) and Jasmine Willis, Lanise Pereze and Jenessa Oaf (Patricia Grant’s children), great grandson, Noah Brown, and her dog Rowdy Armstrong. Sisters; Wilma Faye House (Roosevelt), and Althia George of Gurdon, AR. Two brothers; Willie C. of Lansing, MI and Bennie A. Charles of Gurdon, AR, her aunt Violet Ford, and a host of nieces, nephews, family, and friends.

A viewing will be held at Evergreen Washelli, 11111 Aurora Ave N, Seattle, WA 98133 on Thursday August 1, 2019 from 12pm-6pm for the public. A Funeral Service will be held in her honor on Friday August 2, 2019 at 11:00am at Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church, 2801 S Jackson St, Seattle, WA 98144 with a graveside to follow at Abbey View Cemetery, 3601 Alaska Road, Brier, Washington.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at https://www.dignitymemorial.com for the Armstrong family.