Charlotte Anne Armstrong

Charlotte was the second born and only girl to Lamar and Sallie Armstrong, both natives of Selma, Alabama in the autumn of 1948. She was followed by two additional brothers, Dewitt and Lamar. As many did following WWII, the family moved around for both education and work, settling in Little Rock, Raleigh, and finally Smithfield. Charlotte was always busy and was closest to her older brother, Buzz. The family enjoyed having a summer home in Montreat near relatives in Black Mountain where swimming and tennis became full time competitions. Charlotte completed high school at Peace College and then went on to Presbyterian College, where she developed herself to enter the Nursing College at UNC Chapel Hill eventually gaining her RN status and through work rapidly ascended to Operating Room Nurse.

She lived and worked in Richmond, Raleigh, Scotland, Winston Salem, Asheville, and Cary. She loved to travel and enjoyed learning about different cultures, especially their art. She traveled the USA, all across Europe and Japan, and finally after many decades as a nurse retired to Cary while operating a custom greeting card company “Truely One of a Kind”.  Charlotte was a life long artist, specializing in watercolors, anything that glitters, and fabrics. This lady did love colors and was especially in tune with nature and it's endless beauty. Along her path was her constant companion, a Welsh Corgi “Petunia Tunafish”.

 As a beautiful woman she had many suitors over the years but never married. Her tenacity to her way was both a huge professional attribute and difficult for some to accept. Without a doubt, she managed the growing health issues both parents developed in older age, greatly extending both of their lives. For the first 45 years of her life she was exceptionally giving and loving all the time. The last thirty years were not as kind to her, with growing health issues and lessening ability to work in nursing. She was fiercely independent in most all ways of life. We will remember the good times and her loving involvement with our family. We trust that God sees the good in her heart and she is again with family.

 She is survived by two brothers, their wives, and a small boatload of grandchildren. Her brother, Buzz preceded her in death, but is survived by his wife.

 Of special note in Charlotte's passing was the care we received at the Transitions LifeCare Hospice House in Raleigh. The care was exceptional knowing her condition was painful and difficult. Their teams of nurses, CNAs, Social Workers, Chaplains, and volunteers were without exception both good to her and us. A volunteer created the most beautiful quilt that was used to brighten up Charlotte's long stay in her bed -- clearly the work of an inspired artist. We received strong support and education on the process of passing away that greatly improved the quality of our limited time with her. Charlotte knew when she left her apartment that she was not coming back. She must have known where she would end up after weeks of grueling hospital life. Good choice.