SHIRLEY A ARMOUR

Shirley Ann Johnson Armour was the second of five children born to the late William McKinley and Claudis Elizabeth Johnson on December 3, 1947. Her elder sister Beatrice Lackey and only brother Al Johnson preceded her in death. As a youngster growing up on 63rd & Cottage Grove many summer days were spent playing softball in the “field yard” with her sisters Bea & Barbara and her many cousins, Neomie (Mickii) Ed, Leslie (Tiny) Priscilla, Donna and Jerryce. Brother Al, baby sister Beverly cousins James Jr. (Booney) Cheryl (Penny) & Adrienne (Tug) were too young and not allowed to join in. Shirley loved roller skating and whenever possible sneaking into the Trinnod. Shirley would frequently say, “we were poor but did not know it”. This because we were nourished and surrounded by love, each and every day. When Mama went to choir rehearsal, Shirley was tasked with watching her siblings. To keep them in order she would pinch them, by gathering a small patch of skin so tightly together and so painful that once pinched no one dared to misbehave. At an early age, Shirley joined and was baptized in Woodlawn A.M.E. Methodist Church. There she attended weekly bible class and Sunday School. In her teenage years Shirley worked at Sears Goldblatts and K-Mart. In 1965 Shirley graduated from Hyde Park High School. After moving with her family to Morgan Park she later joined Arnett Chapel A.M.E. Methodist Church. In 1966 she met her soul mate James (Mack), who preceded her in death on April 16, 2001. On April 6, 1968 Shirley Ann Johnson and James McArthur Armour Sr. were united in Holy Matrimony at Woodlawn A.M.E Church. To this union one son, James McArthur Armour Jr. (Jimmy) was born. With her sister Barbara, she would travel to Lake Tahoe, Vegas, Atlantic City, and the local casinos. However, after Barbara had a mild stroke, she was unable to travel out of town. Her baby sister Beverly was willing to pick up the slack and together they traveled to Georgia, Vegas, Florida, Michigan and other neighboring casinos. She with her son Jimmy and grandsons (BJ & Jonathon) and little Brandon and Ana along with Beverly’s granddaughter Kilah together would visit yearly the Wisconsin Dells and Florida. Shirley would plan and co-ordinate family reunions for her many in-laws in Georgia. Shirley loved to host 4th of July and Thanksgiving. All family members, relatives and friends look forward to her bountiful of ribs, chicken, ham, baked beans, collard greens, corn on the cob, green beans, potato salad, macaroni salad, toss salad and an array of desserts. While many relatives and friends felt they could confide in Shirley, her nephew Michael was specially close to her and looked upon Shirley as his confident and second mother. Shirley was employed with Washington Smith Retirement Home. Starting at the lowest level, Shirley excel to acquire certification and licensed to become the Chief Dietician at Washington Smith. There she worked for more than 30 years until her retirement, still with the title Chief Dietician. The End Of The Journey Still waters run deep, that was Shirley‘s nature. Her stubbornness and strong-will gave her the strength to carry on for years despite her debilitating illness. She never complained or let on to others the gravity of her illness, instead being adamant stating she was just fine. On Tuesday, June 7, 2022, Shirley Ann (Johnson) Armour crossed the threshold to Heaven’s Gate. We were blessed to have loved and be loved by Shirley Ann Armour, She leaves to cherish her memory a devoted and loving son, James Jr. (Michelle), 3 grandchildren, Stephanie (Jacques) Alexandre, Brandon (BJ) and Jonathon Armour, 1 great-granddaughter, Nia Alexandre, sisters Barbara and Beverly (Raymond), 5 nephews Steve Johnson (Tameeka), Herman Lackey, Michael Johnson, Clifford L. Williams and Robert (Spanky) Johnson, 1 uncle James Johnson Sr. 1 aunt Leola Woods, 7 sister-in-laws, Heallena Hall, Edith Smith, Emma Jean (Jerome) Redd, Mary James (Robert) Curry, Elizabeth Harden, Hilda (Perry) Nesbitt, Pamela (Rick) Smith, 2 brother-in-laws Cornelius Armour and Richard Powell, multiple cousins, Neomie (John) McCarthy, Leslie Howard, Priscilla (Ladd) Christion, James Jr. (Lillian) Johnson, Cheryl Johnson, Adrienne (Dwight) Denson, Jerryce Humphrey, other relatives Harriet, Boon, CoCo, Kilah, little Brandon, Ana and life-long friends, Juanita Cheers (Bugs) Donna Noble and Dorothy and a multitude of other extended family members and friends.

SHIRLEY A ARMOUR

December 3, 1947 - June 7, 2022

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SHIRLEY A ARMOUR

December 3, 1947 - June 7, 2022

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365 Days of Grief Support