On Saturday, May 24, 2003, God called home one of his own, Mother Evelyn Armstrong. Mother Evelyn was born on June 10, 1929, in Norfolk. She was an evangelist, retired Nurse’s Aide and a devoted member of Bethany Cathedral UNC, under the leadership of Bishop Maurice L. Johnson Jr., where she served as president of the Pastor’s Aide.

Mother Evelyn was the wife of the late Bishop Paul Armstrong, daughter of the late Caldonia and Horace Brittle, and foster daughter of the late Maurice and Leah Johnson. She was also preceded in death by stepdaughter, Laverne Armstrong.

She leaves to cherish her memory three sons, Leon Porter III (Mary Louise) and Elder Aron Porter Sr. (Gladys), all of Suffolk; and Calvin A. Porter (Sheryl) of Norfolk; three daughters, Marlene Green of Suffolk; Clara Briggs of Newport News; Sandra Williams (Michael) of Virginia Beach; nine stepdaughters, Maybelline Rahman, Nettie Porter and Darlene Porter Gaddis of Washington, D.C.; Nancy Eley of Newport News; Michelle Spencer and Annie Armstrong of New York; Gertrude Armstrong-Golden (William) of Virginia Beach; Deloris Demary (McCoy) of Suffolk; and Mary Bryant (Isaiah) of Chesapeake; four stepsons, Lonnie Spencer of New York; Paul Armstrong of Norfolk; Toshan Armstrong (Christine) of Suffolk; and Melvin Armstrong of Richmond; five foster brothers, Maurice Johnson Jr. of Suffolk; Lewis Johnson of Alabama; Alton Johnson of Hampton; Marlon Johnson of Portsmouth; and Bryan Johnson of Texas; five foster sisters, Gloria Newton-Morris, Marian Johnson Porter, M. Celestine Johnson Young, Annie Johnson Block, all of Suffolk; and Vera Irby Moore of Portsmouth; 22 grandchildren; and 16 great-grandchildren.

The memorial service will be held at 7 p.m. Wednesday, May 28, in New Paul Temple Holiness Church, 720 Hosier Road.

The funeral will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, May 29, in Greater First Baptist Orlando, 600 Hosier Road, with Dr. Henry G. Baker, pastor, and Bishop Maurice L. Johnson Jr. officiating. Interment will be in Carver Memorial Cemetery.

Crocker Funeral Home Inc. is in charge.