First Lady Estella Phillips Armstrong

Obituary For First Lady Estella Phillips Armstrong

First Lady Estella Phillips Armstrong
Sep 5, 1941 — Jul 8, 2026

Our beloved First Lady, Estella Phillips Armstrong, peacefully transitioned into eternal rest on July 8, 2026. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and woman of faith. As the cherished matriarch of our church, her kindness, strength, and unwavering faith touched the lives of all who knew her. Her legacy of love, grace, and spiritual guidance will forever be etched in our hearts. Her life was a true testament to Proverbs 31.

Born on September 5, 1941, in Hillsboro, Alabama, to the late Roosevelt and Ethel Phillips, First Lady Armstrong was a shining example of Christian virtue from an early age, accepting Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior. One of her fondest childhood memories was her sister playing the piano while they sang spiritual hymns together.

She graduated from Tennessee Valley High School, where her exceptional memorization skills led to her being chosen to recite Rudyard Kipling's poem, "IF," to her graduating class. Following her graduation, she pursued both work and further education at Agricultural and Industrial State University (now Tennessee State University) in Nashville, Tennessee.

On July 1, 1961, she married her love of 65 years, William B. Armstrong, and dedicated her life to her family. Later, she worked at the Historic Gray and Dudley Hardware Company until its closure in 1986. Following this, she enrolled in the accelerated nursing program at the Metro Medical Training Center, became a Certified Nursing Technician, and worked at the Nashville Metropolitan Bordeaux Hospital until her retirement in 2003.

Driven by her passion for learning, she later pursued a Certification in Early Child Development Education at the age of 79 through online courses. She then worked at the Fifteenth Avenue Child Care Center until its operations ceased due to the 2020 pandemic shutdown.

As First Lady, she was far more than a pastor's wife; she was a pillar of strength with an infectious motivation, a faithful prayer warrior, and a mother figure to many. She was also widely renowned for her elegant and stylish attire.

Throughout her years of service, she dedicated herself to numerous roles, including serving as an usher, a Sunday School teacher, and a member of both the Choir and the Mothers Union. Additionally, she directed the Missionary Society—establishing vital community outreach missions—served faithfully alongside local church Missionary Ministries and was a distinguished Women’s Day speaker in the early years of her ministry.

Beyond her tireless missionary work in the church, she was a dedicated mother and grandmother who made her home a welcoming sanctuary. Among her many gifts, she loved flower gardening and decorating, and she made every family gathering a joyful occasion with her wit. Her unwavering devotion to the Lord radiated through every life she touched. She deeply loved the scripture passages Psalm 23 (“The Lord is My Shepherd”) and Psalm 46:10 ("Be Still and Know that I Am God"), and she found great comfort in reciting the Lord’s Prayer and Psalm 91.

She was preceded in death by her stepson, Ricky Armstrong. She leaves to cherish her precious memory and continue her legacy: devoted husband, Pastor William B. Armstrong; beloved children, Deborah Armstrong, William C. (Sharon) Armstrong, Derrick (Melissa) Armstrong, and Theresha Armstrong; bonus daughters, Tarria Turrentine and Tracy Armstrong; adoring grandchildren, William (Trenee’), Jonathan (Jessamyn), Ilissa (Joe), Hananiah, Mishael, Azariah (Deloria), Steven, Randall, Angel, Brittany, Ashley, and April; 17 great-grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren; sister, Frances Phillips; sister-n-laws, Lula Drake, Addie Bellafant and Mary Armstrong; devoted caregivers Sharon Claybrooks and Krisden Winfree; and a host of nieces, nephews, extended family, and the entire Saint Matthew Missionary Baptist Church family.

Viewing:

Thursday, July 16, 2026

1:00 - 5:00 pm (Central time)

Terrell Broady Funeral Home, Inc.

3855 Clarksville Pike, Nashville, TN 37218

Visitation:

Friday, July 17, 2026

10:00 - 11:00 am (Central time)

Funeral Service:

Friday, July 17, 2026

Starts at 11:00 am (Central time)

St Matthews Missionary Baptist

2412 Osage St, Nashville, TN 37208

Interment:

Friday, July 17, 2026

Starts at 1:00 pm (Central time)

Greenwood Cemetery

1428 Elm Hill Pike, Nashville, TN 37210

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