Shirley Armstrong, 88, passed from this life and went to be with her Lord on December 13, 2023.

Shirley Ann was born on January 11, 1935, in Statesboro, Georgia, to Dedric Hendrix and Bonnie Anderson. Following the death of her mother, she was adopted at age 4 by her maternal aunt, Eloise Watson and Paul H. Watson. Shirley Ann Watson grew up in Pahokee, Florida, and graduated from Pahokee High School in 1952. She graduated from Southern Baptist Hospital School of Nursing as a registered nurse in 1955.

For Shirley, nursing wasn't just a job, it was a passion and a calling. She served with her whole heart and an infectious smile, working for over 30 years, and later in volunteer service up until the last few years of her life. She was truly a "good and faithful servant." Shirley's faithfulness extended to her family, friends, and her church, all of whom she cherished and made sure they knew it.

Shirley married Claude Leland Shirley, Jr. (Lee), on October 25, 1955, and became Shirley Shirley--an epitaph she relished. The couple had two children, Leigh Ann in 1957 and Nathan Christian (Chris) in 1959. They lived in Pahokee for over a decade following their marriage, where she also worked at Everglades Memorial Hospital. They moved to Palm Beach Gardens in 1967, where she continued to serve in her calling as a nurse. Her devotion to nursing was exceeded only by her devotion to her husband and children.

Some of the positions she held included: the first school nurse at Palm Beach Atlantic College and head nurse in obstetrics at Good Samaritan Hospital in West Palm Beach. After she and Lee moved to Amarillo, Texas, she was head nurse in obstetrics at North Texas Regional Hospital. Upon returning to Florida, she continued serving as a nurse at hospitals in Gainesville and Orlando until Lee's death in 1980.

Shirley married Dr. D. Wade Armstrong on May 23, 1981. They lived in Ceredo, West Virginia, where Wade served as pastor of the First Baptist Church.  After retirement, they traveled to Hong Kong on two extended mission trips, where Shirley used her knowledge to teach nursing students medical terms in English. She was given no materials so she created a curriculum. Shirley and Wade enjoyed traveling, experiencing new cultures, and bargain hunting. Most of all, they were dedicated to sharing the Gospel.

After Wade's death in 2003, Shirley moved to Fort Worth, Texas, to be close to her son, Chris, and his family. She was in leadership with the senior adult group at Wedgwood Baptist Church and served in various volunteer positions, including Pregnancy Lifeline.

No matter what difficulties life threw at her—being uprooted as a child, left a widow twice, fighting cancer until the end—Shirley took it in stride with grace, dignity and unwavering faith. She was, in the words of friends and family members, "a very special lady."

Shirley is survived by her brothers: Karl H. Watson Sr. (Faith) and John E. Parrish (Patricia); her son Dr. Chris Shirley (Isabel); her daughter Leigh Ann Stites (Mark); her children by marriage: Ernest Armstrong (Darla), James Armstrong (Mary), and Miriam Armstrong.

Shirley is also survived by her grandchildren: Ashley Stites-Hubbard (Daphnye); Andrew Shirley (Heather); Emily Copley (Christopher); Haylee Tatum (Max); Kathryne Stites; Jason Armstrong (Paul Murie); Joshua Armstrong (Stacy); and Heather Miller (Nathan); and by her great-grandchildren: Graham, Caroline, and Annabelle Shirley; Brooks and Deacon Tatum; Henry Hubbard; Max, Michelle, and Alexander Miller; and Jacob, Emma, and Gracie Armstrong.

In lieu of flowers, please send memorial gifts to the D. Wade Armstrong Evangelism and Missions Scholarship Fund either online at https://swbts.edu/giving or by mail to the Office of Institutional Advancement, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, P.O. Box 22500, Fort Worth, TX 76122.