Obituary for Armenta Williams
Armenta A. Williams departed this life, Wednesday, December 12, 2018 at the Treyburn Rehabilitation Center. She was born in Vicksburg, Mississippi, to the late Joseph and Lenora Stampley. Her academic career took her to Tugaloo College, Jackson, Mississippi, Tillotson University, Austin, Texas, and Hampton, Institute, Hampton, VA, to name a few. She was a dietitian by profession. She taught at nursing schools for many years before working in Social Services advancing causes for the wellbeing of the underserved.
Armenta had no natural children; however, she embraced her niece Jackie’s children, Michael Resto, Desiree Resto, and Michele (Shellie) Resto Reavis. She was especially fond of “Shellie”, who had been caregiver for her along with her husband Reggie for the last seven years of her life. She endearingly referred to Michele as, “the daughter I never had,” but, “will keep her forever.”
Armenta fellowshipped at St. George’s Episcopal Church, Newport News, VA until her health required her to move in with family to be cared for in Durham, NC. She found great joy worshiping at Union Baptist with her family caregivers at church. She also thought it extra special to watch all 3 services on the internet, so she could “see EVERTHING that was going on.”
Traveling was an extreme passion for Armenta. Her travels took her to many parts of the world. She also loved serving others. Personally, she delivered meals through Meals-On-Wheels into her eighties. She worked diligently with her beloved sorority, Lambda Kappa Mu to raise funds for scholarships for young women entering college. She enjoyed fashion and service through her activities in the Red Hat Society. She was politically active first as a Republican (when she said, “I didn’t know any better.”), and changed affiliations several decades ago to the Democratic Party. One of her proudest moments was to vote in the 2008 & 2012 elections, where she tearfully cast her vote for the first African American President of the United States President Barack Obama. She said, “never would I have thought to live to see this day…twice.” She was a life time member of the NAACP, where she tirelessly worked on activist projects.
She leaves a legacy of activism, strength, and love to her family and all those who she encountered. In her favorite comment of satisfaction, she is in the arms of Our Lord and Savior. When He called, she said, “Alrighty!”
Armenta had no natural children; however, she embraced her niece Jackie’s children, Michael Resto, Desiree Resto, and Michele (Shellie) Resto Reavis. She was especially fond of “Shellie”, who had been caregiver for her along with her husband Reggie for the last seven years of her life. She endearingly referred to Michele as, “the daughter I never had,” but, “will keep her forever.”
Armenta fellowshipped at St. George’s Episcopal Church, Newport News, VA until her health required her to move in with family to be cared for in Durham, NC. She found great joy worshiping at Union Baptist with her family caregivers at church. She also thought it extra special to watch all 3 services on the internet, so she could “see EVERTHING that was going on.”
Traveling was an extreme passion for Armenta. Her travels took her to many parts of the world. She also loved serving others. Personally, she delivered meals through Meals-On-Wheels into her eighties. She worked diligently with her beloved sorority, Lambda Kappa Mu to raise funds for scholarships for young women entering college. She enjoyed fashion and service through her activities in the Red Hat Society. She was politically active first as a Republican (when she said, “I didn’t know any better.”), and changed affiliations several decades ago to the Democratic Party. One of her proudest moments was to vote in the 2008 & 2012 elections, where she tearfully cast her vote for the first African American President of the United States President Barack Obama. She said, “never would I have thought to live to see this day…twice.” She was a life time member of the NAACP, where she tirelessly worked on activist projects.
She leaves a legacy of activism, strength, and love to her family and all those who she encountered. In her favorite comment of satisfaction, she is in the arms of Our Lord and Savior. When He called, she said, “Alrighty!”