Erma "Shirley" Armstead

Erma Shirley Armstead, best known as Shirley, was born on May 22, 1935 in Baltimore, Maryland to Grace Ellen Cole and Robert Thomas. Shirley grew up in a vibrant neighborhood on Dolphin Street where she could nurture her curiosity and walk to explore Baltimore libraries and attractions such as the zoo and the Walters Art Museum. In her youth, Shirley became proficient in many different types of needlework such as embroidery, cross-stitch and needlepoint in addition to hand and machine sewing under the guidance of her mother Grace and grandmother Ida Virginia Brown, with whom she lived, along with her younger brother Calvin. Shirley met her husband of almost 70 years, Ed, at Frederick Douglass High School. They married in 1955 after Ed completedcollege at Johns Hopkins University. They moved to New Jersey with two girls, Barbara and Valerie. Shirley and Ed first lived in Lawnside, NJ in a community of neighbors with whom they developed life long friendships. After a few years, they moved to Moorestown as one of the original homeowners on Farmdale Road, designed by Blase Ravikio for black middle-class families. Shirley and Ed welcomed four more girls (Sheryl/Patsy, Joann/Cookie, Jeri and Angela) and established roots in the neighborhood where they would live for more than 60 years. Shirley had her hands full as mother to six girls, although she worked part-time as a teacher-aide when the girls were in school. Shirley rode her bicycle to Roberts School where she was known for constructing creative bulletin boards and her irresistible sense of humor. Shirley maintained the interests that she had as a young girl and nurtured the same in her daughters. Shirley was always an avid reader, and all of the girls learned to read before entering school. Shirley put her sewing skills to work by sewing her daughters’ outfits which included dresses and oftentimes matching coats at Easter! All of the girls learned to sew and made their own clothes including school clothes and prom dresses. Shirley was involved in her girls’ activities and could be counted on to chauffeur, chaperone and even go camping with the Girl Scouts. Shirley, distinguished herself as an active, involved and distinguished member of Moorestown and the surrounding community. She served as President of the Farmdale Civic Association and for many years worked the polls during election season. She also supported Ed in his extensive civic activities. Shirley began bowling in the 1980s and was a year-round member of award-winning teams in Mount Laurel and Cherry Hill leagues for over 35 years. She sometimes bowled three times a week, and enjoyed prominently displaying her trophies in the family room. Through bowling, Shirley began her modeling career! Never one to pass up an opportunity, she agreed to pose for a picture as an ‘active’ senior citizen. Soon after, Shirley’s smiling face appeared in textbooks, print, TV advertisements and websites. She was most excited when Channel 6 Action News recorded her playing with parrots at the Philadelphia Zoo and featured it in their evening news montage for several years. Shirley was a long-time member of the Moorestown Area Quilters (MAQ) where she served as the club historian for a period of time. Shirley often traveled to quilt classes and retreats with her friend Sally, and there was always a story to tell upon their return. Shirley loved flowers, plants and gardening. She maintained a vegetable garden and flower beds in the backyard at Farmdale Road. As a member of the American Begonia Society (ABS) she not only received awards for her plants at local shows, but also awards for photographs of her begonias. Two of her photographs graced the covers of ‘The Begonian,’ the bimonthly publication distributed nationally by the ABS. Shirley was an active member of the Moorestown Garden Club and the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society (PHS). Shirley earned ribbons for her own entries as well as those of the Moorestown Garden Club at the Philadelphia Flower Show. Aside from her other activities, Shirley loved watching her beloved Philadelphia “Iggles” and Phillies while “gnoshing” on candy, watching her “stories”, and shopping at the Dollar Store. She enjoyed traveling both domestically and internationally, and introduced herself as ‘Shirley from New Jersey’ when charming those she met. Shirley was preceded in death by her husband, W. Edward Armstead, Jr. She is survived by her daughters Barbara, Valerie (Michael), Patsy, Joann Foster (William), Jeri Connelly (John) and Angie Bernard (Sherman); grandchildren Cassandra (Cleo), Penelope, Veronica (Adam), Cole, Austin, Laurentee, Sammy and Timothy; great-grandson, Miles and brothers-in-law Joseph (Carol) and Arthur Eugene, and sisters-in-law Jo Ann Utley, Edith Ricks and Edith Washington, and a host of nieces and nephews. The family thanks our friends for their prayers and condolences. Services will be live streamed on the following link: https://www.viewlogies.net/givnish/BcyqIh7AR?pin=781906

Tributes

Erma "Shirley" Armstead

May 22, 1935 - May 4, 2025