James Armstrong

Untitled JAMES ARMSTRONG APRIL 27, 1923 -NOVEMBER 17, 2009

James Armstrong was born in Orrville, Alabama to the late Hunter and Daisy Armstrong.
He received his education at Molette Bend Jr. High and Manual Brown Training School, and enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1943, serving during World War II in General George Patton's THIRD US ARMY. Mr. Armstrong met and married Marie Norfleet of Demopolis, Alabama (now deceased) in 1946, and they moved to Birmingham, Alabama, together having four children, and residing there until his passing. He had memberships at Sixth Avenue Baptist Church, New Pilgrim Baptist Church, and finally Thirgood Memorial CME Church. Mr. Armstrong was active in the Birmingham civil rights movement and school desegregation cases together with the Rev. Fred Shuttlesworth, and participated as an organizer for the 1963 protests at planning meetings held at the A.G. Gaston Motel. He provided the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. with a haircut on several occasions, and a pickup ride from the Birmingham jail. Mr. Armstrong was jailed while protesting Jim Crow laws on numerous occasions. He received numerous awards for his community service.
He was predeceased by sisters, Mary Gamble, Dollie Mae Jackson, Bernice Goldsmith, Mamie Armstrong, and brother, Eddie Armstrong.
He is survived by children, James Armstrong, Jr., Denise Wrushen, Dwight Armstrong (Bonnie), and Floyd Armstrong. Left to cherish his memory are two sisters, Susie Matthews and Sarah Caudle, along with grandchildren, Charlie D. Wrushen, Jr., Tiffany Wrushen, Darren Armstrong, Carlos Armstrong, Justin Armstrong and Ahmed Ousman Taal.
Mr. Armstrong was interred on November 24, 2009 at Elmwood Cemetery in Birmingham, with arrangements entrusted to Arrington Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made in honor of James Armstrong to The Civil Rights Activist Committee, ATTN: Shirley Floyd 1707 4th Avenue North Birmingham AL 35203 (205) 214-5740.