DURHAM

Velva Jean Pittman Armistad went home to be with the Lord on Tuesday, July 14, 2020 at the age of 67 yrs. old after a long battle with heart disease. She and her husband Willie resided in Durham, NC for the last 27 years.

Velva was born on August 22, 1952 in Dawson, Georgia to the late Beltom and Lillie Mae Pittman. She accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior at an early age and attended her family church Jerusalem Baptist Church in Dawson, Georgia. Velva graduated from George Washington Carver High School, in Dawson in 1970 and later attended Fort Valley State, in Fort Valley, Georgia where she studied English. She met the love of her life at 15 years old, Willie Armistad, whom she later married in 1973 and started a family in 1974. She adored her children and loved being a mom. She was very active in her childrens' lives by volunteering at their schools, attending field trips and various extracurricular activities. "Velva Jean'', as she was affectionately called, absolutely loved children. She spent her professional life guiding and caring for them through her own in-home daycare, working with the foster care system and as a nanny. She retired in 1998 as the Preschool Director at Cresset Christian Academy Preschool in Durham. She faithfully served the Lord throughout her life and was also a "surrogate" mom to many because of the relationships she built while serving the local churches where she lived in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Illinois, and North Carolina. While in North Carolina, Velva attended Grace Bible Fellowship in Cary. She especially enjoyed her time with the ladies in her Women's prayer group and serving as a Greeter and a Small Group Host over the years. God gave her the spiritual gift of Hospitality, which she used faithfully. Velva was quick to invite people over to her home and serve them delicious home cooked meals. She was especially drawn to individuals or families who did not have family that lived close by and "adopted" them into her own. She was also a great listener and friend, lending her ear to many, carrying their burdens, providing wisdom and sound counsel.

Velva is preceded in death by siblings: CJ Pittman, Gary "Peanut" Pittman, and Bernice Carter. She is survived by her husband Willie Armistad; son, Chris Armistad (Amy), daughters Leslie Armistad Bryant (Errin) and Jeannie Pierson Wright (Adrian). She loved and delighted in her 5 grandsons Isaiah Armistad, Isaac Armistad, William Armistad, Devon Armistad and Samuel Armistad. She is survived by her siblings: Charlie "Sunny" Stevens, Bill Pittman, Larry Pittman, Johnny Pittman, Shadon "Dobe" Pittman, Betty Wright-Tell, and Alice Faye Peters, and a host of aunts, uncles, nephews, nieces, cousins, in-laws and friends.

In lieu of sending flowers, please make a donation in Velva's honor to the Grace Bible Church Outreach for "Missions At Home" ministry who she supported over the years. Please go to their website at: https://www.gbf-nc.org/donate

There will be a Public Viewing at Grace Bible Fellowship (9043 Chapel Hill Rd,
Cary, NC 27513) on Saturday, July 18 from 10 am to 11am. Please comply with all Covid-19 precautions that will be in place.