Ashley Nicole Armstrong gained her wings and shed her wheelchair at the very young-at-heart age of 40, Thursday, August 6, 2021, at 9:45pm at Baptist Hospital in Jackson, MS, with both mom and dad at her side. She peacefully slipped away and right into the loving arms of our Savior, Jesus Christ.
Ashley was born September 10, 1980, in Flowood, MS, to Scott and Patsy Armstrong, and was a life-long resident of Brandon, MS. Even though she was born with special needs, Ashley enjoyed life. She wasn't one to be entertained by television, books or toys but wanted to be right up in the thick of everything going on around her. She definitely was a social butterfly and loved people. At home, Ashley was a larger-than-life "daddy's girl". She loved to sit outside on the patio, feet propped up in the chair like Queen Bee, watching her daddy mow the grass. At night, they would sit side-by-side on the couch, again feet and legs propped up, watching tv and "hug-a-buggin". She would love on Momma but typically when dad wasn't around.
Even though Ashley had no language, she was very smart and had her own method of communication. She would make it very clear to whomever was around that she was wanting something, needing something, hungry, thirsty, happy, unhappy, bored, etc. She could drive like a crazy woman in her wheelchair and didn't let anything stop her. She also enjoyed music and riding in the car - it didn't matter where.
She attended and completed Rankin County Public School in Special Education. She especially liked riding the school bus home every day. Ashley was currently attending a day services program with REM of MS and had the experience of living in a group home since December of 2020. Everyone that worked and cared for Ashley in these services loved her and called her, "their baby". I cannot thank them enough.
Ashley is survived by her mom and dad; aunt, Peggy Harper (James); uncles, Jack Parrish and David Armstrong; cousins, Jamie Pittman (Hardy); Daryl Harper (Daphne), Will Parrish, William and Cannon Armstrong; and 6 second cousins.
Ashley is predeceased by grandparents, W.C. and Charlotte Standefer and Rollin "Polly" and Rebecca Armstrong; aunt, Mary Sue Parrish, and baby boy Armstrong.
Visitation will be held Wednesday, August 11 at 2 - 3pm at Wright & Ferguson Funeral Home in Flowood, MS. Graveside will be in Raymond, MS, at the Raymond Cemetery at 4pm.
Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."