Jerry Armstrong

WILSON - Jerome Griffith Armstrong died of natural causes in his home on January 12th 2009. He was 78 and lived in Wilson with his wife of 55 years, Doris Armstrong. Jerry was born in Lexington, Kentucky and moved to North Carolina in the early 1950s, following along as his father traveled as a tobacco auctioneer. He met Doris Thorne after his arrival in Wilson and they were married in 1953. In 1962 he established Arc Electric Repair Company of Wilson, and he was the sole proprietor for 38 years of operation. He was well-known in the community for the high quality of his work, establishing himself as "the guy who could fix everything: from a broken heart to the crack of dawn." Jerry was a Christian and a devoted husband. He was always approachable by any member of his family, adding a good dose of humor and a winning smile to every conversation. Jerry cherished his many friends and was quite close to Eddie Williamson and Amos Tucker, both of Wilson. In his retirement, he helped Amos set up a motor and line-shaft to power "old-time" equipment at the Tobacco Farm Life Museum in Kenly, North Carolina. Jerry will be remembered, for years to come, by the many children he taught to weave rope from binding-twine at Museum events. He loved nature and spent special time with Doris at Kerr Lake where he enjoyed boating and fishing in tucked away coves. Jerry was preceded in death by his parents, Lloyd Armstrong and Sadie Howard Armstrong. His wife Doris Armstrong, their daughter Pamela Armstrong of Atlanta, their daughter Barbara Stone and her husband Tommy of Durham, NC survive him. Jerry and Doris also have a granddaughter, Heather Benton and her husband Nick who live in Statesboro, Georgia: parents of Jerry and Doris' great-grandson, Eoghan. Other family members include his sister Bobbie Mosely of Wilson, his sister Billie Lane and her husband Jack of New Bern, North Carolina. We will all treasure the time we shared with Jerry. Services will be held for Jerry at Wilson Memorial Services at 11:00 AM on Thursday, January 15th. The family will be at home. Memorials may be directed to the charity of one's choice.