Arthur Armstrong

Rev. Arthur Armstrong, the son of the late Louisa Brogdon and the late Thomas Brooks, was born in Baltimore, Maryland on January 3, 1908. He went home to be with the Lord on January 18, 2005. In 1942, Rev. Armstrong joined the United States Army and was later honorably discharged. After his discharge, he met and married the late Amanda Mottley Armstrong. He and Amanda were blessed to raise three children, two girls, Barbara Ann (who preceded him in death) and Elaine, and one boy, Joseph. He was a kind, loving father who not only took care of his children but also was an example to them of godly living and character. Although he had limited formal education, he was an avid reader and enjoyed keeping abreast of current events. He was self-employed, providing janitorial services at several area businesses, and worked well into his 80's. After the death of Amanda, he later met and married the late Emma Butler Armstrong. After Emma's death and in his later years when he was nearly 90 years old, still strong and active, Rev. Armstrong said that "Instead of putting me in a wheelchair, God sent me another wife." The wife to whom he was referring was Helen Snowden Armstrong who he married in 1998. Rev. Armstrong accepted the Lord as his personal Savior in 1943 while at a revival service at the United House of Prayer. He was later called by God into the ministry. However, in 1944, God led Rev. Armstrong to become a member of the St. John Alpha and Omega Pentecostal Church under the leadership of the late Rev. Magdelene Phillips, the church founder and pastor. In 1945, he was appointed assistant superintendent of the Sunday School. After faithfully serving in this capacity, he was moved from his position in the Sunday School so that he could serve in the pulpit during Sunday morning services. For several years, Rev. Armstrong served as president of the Brotherhood of the church. During this time, he also was appointed as a member of the Ministerial Board of the Alpha and Omega Pentecostal Church of America, Inc. Beginning in 1954, Rev. Armstrong pastored the True Vine Alpha and Omega Pentecostal Church. This church was vacated (and eventually torn down) to make way for a new state office building in the city; therefore, Rev. Armstrong returned to the "mother church" (St. John) to wait on the leading of God. Shortly thereafter, he was appointed President of the National Youth Conference. He served in this office for eight years. He also began to work closely with the late Rev. Phillips when she was no longer assisted by the late Bishop Charles E. Waters. Rev. Armstrong, believing that God placed him to work beside Rev. Phillips, faithfully stood with her and served as assistant pastor of the St. John Church until her death in October, 1990. He continued to serve as assistant pastor under the current pastor, Rev. Stanley J. Cruse, until September, 1998. He then spent his retirement years at Trinity Alpha and Omega Pentecostal Church, first under the leadership of the late Rev. Yvonne Hairston and later under the current pastor, Rev. Oliver Johnson. For many years, Rev. Armstrong served as moderator during church business meetings and was National Treasurer for the corporate church. While a member of the church, he was faithful in attending virtually all weeknight services as well as weekly bible study classes. Moreover, Rev. Armstrong had the reputation of not missing one night of the ten-day long Pentecost observance held annually at the St. John Church beginning in the early 1940's and ending in the mid-1990's. Rev. Armstrong's favorite scripture verse was Hebrews 12:14, "Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord." Rev. Armstrong leaves to cherish his memory: his loving wife, Helen Armstrong; one daughter, Evangelist Elaine Luck; one son, Deacon Joseph Dickerson; two stepsons, Darryl Saunders and Gerald Saunders; two god-daughters, Dr. Linda Gorham and Dr. Charlene Waters Jones; 14 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren, 7 great-great-grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends. Lovingly submitted, The Family

Tributes

Arthur Armstrong

January 3, 1908 - January 25, 2005