NEWPORT NEWS - Elizabeth Weston Armstrong, affectionately known as Nana, passed away Sunday morning, July 17, peacefully in her sleep.

Born in Rocky Mount, North Carolina on January 21, 1922, to James Columbus Weston and Carrie Batchelor Weston, she was the youngest of five children.

She moved to Newport News, Virginia in 1932 where she later graduated from Newport News High School and also met and married Howard Turner Armstrong (Papa) on July 1, 1941. God blessed them with 5 children and a rich family life in which Elizabeth enjoyed many days of being a wife and mother.

She and her family were members at First Friends Church for many years and then later joined Northside Christian Church. She had a deep genuine faith in Jesus and a deep understanding of His grace which opened up the wellspring of love which she poured out upon her family, her greatest treasure on this earth.

Elizabeth was very active in the Riverdale Garden Club and later worked at McDonald's Garden Center as a floral designer. She had many artistic gifts which she shared freely and blessed others with often.

After the unexpected death of her husband at the young age of 61, Elizabeth entered a new season. By this time, she was known as Nana, but was still young and full of life. Out of her grief, she and her daughter Carolyn opened a small gift shop called "Nana's House." For 10 years they enjoyed the opportunity to serve the community with handcrafted and beautiful gifts and in those days she became Nana to many beyond her family.

Nana was most happy with a baby on her lap, and as her family continued to grow many of her great-grandchildren endeared her with the name Nana Pickle. She loved spending time reading to them, hunting shells with them on the beach, visiting the dollar store, working puzzles and teaching them skills like knitting and gardening.

She spent much time praying for her children and grandchildren, calling down the blessings of heaven upon each of them. Elizabeth had a special fondness for birds. She loved to feed them and watch them. Throughout her life she knew, "His eye is on the sparrow and I know He watches me." She knows that fully now. As Nana grew older, she loved to talk about heaven. Her family is comforted in knowing that she lived a full, long life and that they will one day see her there. "With long life I will satisfy him, and let him behold My salvation." (Psalm 91:16)

Elizabeth was preceded in death by her parents, James Columbus Weston and Carrie Batchelor Weston; her four siblings; and her husband, Howard Turner Armstrong.

She is survived by her daughter, Carolyn and husband Adrian of Newport News, VA; her son, Bobby and wife Joyce of Suffolk; her son, Tommy and wife Nancy of Suffolk; her daughter, Kay and husband Gary of Katy, TX; and her daughter, Susan and husband Tommy of Atlanta, GA. She had 12 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren, and four great-great-grandchildren, one who was born on the same day she passed away.

She was also loved by many beyond her family. Many called her "Nana" because many knew her deep love extended to them too. She spent the last three years of her life at St. Francis Nursing Center where she was also affectionately known as "Queenie". Her family is beyond grateful to the Bernadine Staff for the loving care she received there.

A celebration of her life will be held on Wednesday at 2pm at Northside Christian Church, 1300 George Washington Memorial Hwy, Yorktown, VA 23693. Visitation will begin at 1pm.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made in her memory to Northside Christian Church.

Arrangements are in the care of Peninsula Funeral Home. View and post condolences on our online guestbook at dailypress.com/guestbooks.

Published in Daily Press on July 19, 2016.
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