Thelma Rina Armstrong

Armstrong, Thelma Rina - Age 54, of Grand Blanc, died September 28, 2025.

Services will be held 11 AM Saturday, October 11, 2025 at Sharp Funeral Homes, Fenton Chapel, 1000 Silver Lake Rd., Fenton, Michigan, 48430. (The service may be viewed via livestream from a link on Thelma's page at www.sharpfuneralhomes.com. ) The family will receive friends from 9 AM until the time of the service at 11 AM on Saturday, October 11 at the funeral home.

Thelma was born on May 8, 1971, in Klerksdorp, South Africa, the daughter of Jacob Daniel Du Bruyn and Tersia (Lee) Du Bruyn. She began her career in retail and eventually became the manager at Food Zone, a local grocery store in Klerksdorp, where she was known for her loyalty to her work, the kindness she showed to her customers, and the extra time she always took to listen to anyone in need of a friend. To Thelma, everyone was family.

After immigrating to the United States, it didn’t take long for her to begin looking for work, where she made many new friends along the way. She was always seen as someone who went above and beyond, striving not just for quantity but for the best quality. She eventually found herself working as a Quality Technician at American Axle, where she always looked her best, greeted everyone with a smile, and remembered everyone’s name. She loved sharing her passion for her work and took great pride in the parts she inspected.

A woman of deep faith, Thelma was a convert to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 2011, though she had always lived by a strong belief in Christ. She raised her two children on her own in a Christ-centered home that was always open to any child who needed a place to belong. Her love for the Church began the moment the missionaries first knocked on her door. She felt an instant connection when she saw the name tags they wore, each bearing the name of JESUS CHRIST. From that day forward, she loved every missionary who visited her home and made an effort to keep in touch with each one and their families, eventually earning the title of “Missionary Mother.” Her faith was unbreakable, regardless of the trials she faced, and she loved everyone with the same unconditional love she knew her Heavenly Father had for her.

Within the church community in Grand Blanc, Thelma served joyfully as a teacher of the five-year-old class. She loved her ward family so much and wanted everyone to feel loved. She took an interest in everyone—from the widowed to the newborn—and was a radiant light to anyone who knew her.

Her greatest joy was found in her family, especially her beloved grandchildren. She adored them and embraced her role as “Yia Yia” with endless love and delight. Thoughtful and generous, Thelma was known for sending kind messages, giving heartfelt gifts, and checking in on those she cared for. She was always ready to help, giving selflessly without hesitation, and she touched the lives of everyone she met with her warm smile and open heart.

Thelma is survived by her children, Charne’ (Shane) Lichtenberg of Grand Blanc, and Damon Du Bruyn of South Africa; grandchildren, Cassius, Amaryllis, and Rhiannon Lichtenberg; her brother, Jaco Du Bruyn; sisters, Charmaine and Belinda; stepmother, Bekkie Du Bruyn; as well as many nieces and nephews. She was also lovingly known as “Yia Yia” to many others who considered her family.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

She will be dearly missed by all who knew her, but her legacy of love, faith, and kindness will live on forever in the hearts of her family, her friends, and the countless lives she touched.

Tributes may be shared at www.sharpfuneralhomes.com.