On August 3, 1943, in Arlington, West Virginia, Mother Jimmie Mae Armstead was born at home to the late James Bo Walters and Sadie Mae Armstead Edwards.

Mother Armstead was raised in a Christian home. At an early age, she accepted Christ at Galilee Baptist Church in Arlington, West Virginia. She graduated from Elkhorn High School in 1962.  After graduation, she worked at Grace Hospital (Welch, WV). She relocated to Brooklyn, NY and worked as a private housekeeper for approximately one year. She went back to West Virginia for a short period before relocating to Ashtabula, Ohio in 1968. Prior to working at Lake-Geauga Head Start, she worked at Motor Fiberglass, Ohio Rubber, as a bus driver for Painesville City Schools and Morton Salt (part-time). While at Head Start, she was a teacher’s assistant before becoming a teacher. While working as a teacher, she attended Lakeland Community College, where she received her certification for Early Childhood Development. She then became the center administrator before retiring in 2017 after 33 years of service. After retiring from Head Start, she worked for R.A.I.S.E for over 10 years, assisting independent disabled adults who remained in their homes. In her later years, she attended The Baptist Bible Institute of Cleveland. On May 5, 2008, she received a diploma to commemorate this accomplishment.

Mother Armstead became a member of Mount Moriah Missionary Baptist Church in Painesville, Ohio in 1973.  She was a faithful and devoted member of Mount Moriah until her health recently began to decline. She was instrumental in finding the current location at 1143 North State Street, under the leadership of then pastor, Rev. John Miley. This historic event was publicized in the local newspaper, The Telegraph. She faithfully served as treasurer, a choir member, an usher and other capacities as needed. Mother Armstead loved the Lord and everyone loved Mother Armstead. She loved going to church and fellowshipping with the Union District as well as other churches, where she could be found getting her praise on. She was a member of the Heavenly Seven Promoters Club, the NAACP and the Unity of Love. This local group gives out scholarships to high school students and visits the sick. She loved to read, watch westerns, talk on the phone and work in the community.

In the wee hours of Tuesday morning, December 23, 2025, the angels were dispatched from Heaven to escort Mother Armstead to her Heavenly home. She transitioned from this earthly realm into the eternal realm to be with the Lord. Her legacy of faith and love will be cherished by her family, children, Pamela, William, DeMarco Armstead and Andrea Quinn; stepdaughter, Annie Marie Dye; grandchildren, Quintell, Kenyetietta and Alexander Quinn, Aaron Broadwater, Jasmine, Sheila, Willie, Elijah and Darrius Armstead, Marika and Chavon Landingham; 7 great-grandchildren, 3 great-great-grandchildren; sisters, Pauline Leftwich, Youthella Ivory and Yolanda Barry; brothers, Paul and Saul Garrett; childhood best friend, Rose (Pinky) Tombs; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, James Bo Walters and Sadie Mae Armstead Edwards; stepfather, James Edwards; grandparents, Charles and Sadie Bane, Glennie and Eliza Walters; sister, Barbara Jean Chatman; brother-in law, Johnny Chatman; grandson, Xavier Quinn; special friend, Joseph Lewis Landingham.

For no one is cast off by the Lord forever:

Though He brings grief, He will show compassion,

So great is His unfailing love.

Lamentations 3:31-32