On September 24th, 2016, Willa Dean Armistead, joined our heavenly father surrounded by her loving family. Dean was the youngest of 5 children, born on February 9th, 1934 in Falco, Alabama. to the late Dennis L. and Lella M. Adkison. Predeceased by her brothers William C. Gilles, Dennis E. and Glenon W. Adkison and sister Edna Kabase. She leaves behind to cherish her memories, her life time love and husband of 63 years, Alfred D. Armistead; adored children, Paula A. McEvoy and husband Ronald; Gregory A. Armistead and wife Kimberly; grandchild, Sean McEvoy and wife Kate; step-grandchildren,  Holland LaFalcia and husband Joe; Nicholas Davis; 4 great step-grandchildren and her many nieces, nephews and friends.

Dean graduated from Baker High School in Baker, Florida, and was raised in Milligan, Florida. Her many jobs included full time housewife, mother and family party planner, worked in a women’s clothing store owned and operated by her brother, was the local Avon lady in Laurel for many years, and worked at the Laurel Pharmacy with Myron Shumway for 9 years. She recently retired from Laurel Eye Care & Surgical Center where she worked with Dr. Bernard Ehrlich since 1989 and transitioned as Office Manager for both Dr. Ehrlich and Dr. John Grundy. 

"Don't think of her as gone away, her journey's just begun... Life holds so many facets, this earth is only one. Just think of her as resting from the sorrows and the tears, in a place of warmth and comfort where there are no days or years. Think how she must be wishing that we could know today, how nothing but our sadness can really pass away. And think of her as living in the hearts of those she touched, for nothing loved is ever lost and she was loved so much."- Author Unknown

In lieu of flowers the family is asking for donation to either Hospice of the Chesapeake, Honor an Angel Program, 445 Defense Highway, Annapolis, MD 21401, with a memo indicating the memoriam, or to support Dr. Zahnow's breast cancer research at the Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center. Please make checks payable to Johns Hopkins Medicine with a memo indicating the memoriam and mailed to the Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center, PO Box 17029 Baltimore, MD 21297-1029. 
 

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