Eva Ann Key Armstrong

Mrs. Eva Ann Key Armstrong, 97, of Ararat, passed away Saturday afternoon, August 1, 2015, at her home. Mrs. Armstrong was born December 29, 1917, one of eleven children born to the late John Gabriel and Ida Mae Boyles Key. At the age of 66 years, she started oil painting and completed 49 canvasses, many as gifts. She taught Sunday school at Simmons Grove Baptist Church for over 60 years. She also enjoyed crocheting, making Christmas ornaments, growing flowers, reading, and spending time with family. Surviving are a son and her favorite daughter-in-law, Phillip and Judi Armstrong; three daughters and sons-in-law, Faye and Don Terrell, Frances and Glenn Cook, and Mary Ellen and Byron Wells; twelve grandchildren and their spouses, Donny and Sabrina Terrell, Sonya and Kevin Braun, Ingle and Chris Sloop, Sabrina and Barry Waters, Kristie and Brian Absher, Angel Armstrong, Crystal and Cody Johnson, Summer and Tim Hughes, Richard and Bobbi Wells, Keri and Justin Brinkley, Andrew and Cindy Armstrong, and Joseph Armstrong; twenty-six great-grandchildren; two sisters, Betty Linthicum and Ruth Stack; two sisters-in-law, Goldie Simmons and Gladys Armstrong; and numerous nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, Mrs. Armstrong was preceded in death by her husband of 52 years, James Laymon Armstrong; a son, Dewey Armstrong; three sisters, Myrtle Peele, Sadie Harris, and Verla Peele; and four brothers, the Rev. Paul Key, Sam Key, Frank Key, and John Key. The funeral service will be held Tuesday, August 4, 2015, at 2:00 PM at Simmons Grove Baptist Church, with the Rev. Dale Wallace officiating. Interment will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends Tuesday from 12:30 until 2:00 PM at Simmons Grove Baptist Church. Memorials may be made to Simmons Grove Cemetery Fund, c/o Junior Stephens, 109 Sapphire Lane, Pilot Mountain, NC 27041; or Mountain Valley Hospice and Palliative Care, 401 Technology Lane, Suite 200, Mount Airy, NC 27030. The family wishes to express their gratitude for the love and compassion shown by Vickie Isaacs, the staff of Home Instead Senior Care, and the staff at Mountain Valley Hospice and Palliative Care. Moody Funeral Services in Mount Airy is serving the family.