Robert Lewis Armistead, Sr.

Robert Lewis (Bob) Armistead Sr, 91, went peacefully to join his Savior on April 22, 2024 in Johnson City, TN. He was fun, active, loving, and took joy in sharing the Gospel with the lost and especially the less fortunate. He was a lifelong Presbyterian pastor and overseas missionary, loved his local church Covenant Presbyterian, and sought the good for all those around him. He loved people and stories, and liked nothing better than to throw his head back in a good laugh. He was loved and will be missed. 

He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Estelle White Armistead; four children, Rob Armistead of Johnson City, James (Patti) Armistead of Knoxville, Daniel (Mary Elizabeth) Armistead of Las Cruces, NM, and Audrey Armistead of Salisbury, NC; four grandchildren, Isaac (Patricia) Armistead of Denver, CO (including his great-grandchildren Maryn and Elin), Anna Marie (George) Kennedy of Las Cruces, Lewis (Anna Shay) Armistead of Chattanooga, TN, Robert (Bailey) Armistead of Denver, CO; one niece, Ellen (Joe) Rutledge of Seattle, WA; and three nephews, Ellis Armistead of Denver, CO; David (Jane) Armistead of Decatur, GA, and Steve (Diane) Armistead of Nashville, TN. 

He was preceded in death by his parents, William C. Armistead of Brentwood, TN, and Ann Roehl Armistead (originally from Knoxville); his brother, Bill Armistead of Decatur, AL; and his dear youngest son, Stanley Armistead of Johnson City.

Not a great student in high school, he loved cars and driving, and was sent to boarding school in Florida, where the gentle, consistent witness of his roommate, Stanley Topple, led him to the Lord. They both formed a life-long commitment to overseas missions while still in high school. He worked his way through several colleges, ending up at State College (ETSU), and met and married his bride at Princeton Presbyterian Church. They almost immediately did a short-term mission in the Amazon jungle in Peru, and the call to overseas work was confirmed. He then graduated from college (‘60) and from Columbia Seminary (‘63) in Decatur, GA.

Their mission life through the Presbyterian Church (USA) led them to southern Mexico and Quito, Ecuador while raising five children, then the two of them to Chile, where he worked in pastoral education and joined local pastors in a human rights council to advocate for the persecuted and those unjustly imprisoned, and lastly at a border ministry in Douglas, AZ. Wherever he went, he sought to shed the light of the gospel by his love and understanding of the language, customs, and culture of the local people, and insisted on ministering to the “whole man,” meeting both spiritual and physical needs.

The family will receive friends from 9:00-10:30 am on Saturday, May 4, 2024, at Covenant Presbyterian Church. A funeral service will immediately follow, at 10:30 am, under the direction of Rev. Maggie Rust and Rev. Paul Helphinstine. A committal service will commence at 12:00 pm at Monte Vista Memorial Park, those attending are asked to gather at the cemetery by 11:50 am. 

In lieu of flowers, gifts should be made to the Mission Fund at Covenant Presbyterian Church (https://cpcjc.org/) to support the Frontera de Cristo border ministry (https://fronteradecristo.org/) or Living Waters For the World (https://www.livingwatersfortheworld.org/).

Memories and condolences may be shared with the family via www.morrisbaker.com

Morris-Baker Funeral Home, 2001 E Oakland Ave, Johnson City, is honored to serve the Armistead family. (423) 282-1521