Burnetta Patton

Burnetta Patton, beloved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother passed away peacefully on March 4, 2026, at the age of 93. She was born on January 25, 1933, in Little Rock, Arkansas, and raised in Sweet Home, Arkansas, to Joe Willie Patton and Lula Bell Smith.

She accepted Christ at an early age and carried her faith with her throughout her life. Her kindness, compassion, and gracious spirit left a lasting impression on everyone she encountered. She was known for her warm heart, lively personality, and a joyful laugh that could brighten any room. Her Bible and Bible study notes were never far from her, reflecting the deep faith that guided her life.

She graduated from Dunbar High School in 1950. After graduating, she married George Armstead, and shortly thereafter the couple moved to Chicago, where they began building their family. In 1971, the family returned to Little Rock, Arkansas, where she continued raising her family and building a life centered around faith and community.

In 1968, she earned her Diploma in Practical Nursing, beginning a career devoted to caring for others. She worked at Baptist Medical Center for more than 25 years, which included caring for residents at Parkway Village. She later continued serving others at Presbyterian Village as a home health aide until her retirement in the early 2000s.

She found joy in life’s simple pleasures. She loved knitting, watching the Atlanta Braves and classic Western films, and spending time working crossword puzzles. One of her greatest joys was preparing meals for her family. Sunday dinners and Thanksgiving gatherings became cherished traditions, and she was especially known for her creamy macaroni and cheese, dressing, pound cakes, and butter cookies, dishes that brought everyone happily to the table.

Affectionately known as “Big Ma”, her grandchildren were the pride of her life, and her warm hugs, gentle kisses, handwritten cards and notes, and thoughtful text messages will remain cherished reminders of the love she shared so freely with the many generations of family blessed to receive it.

She is survived by her six children: Joe Willie Armstead of Columbia, SC; Anita Armstead of Los Angeles, CA; Sharon Armstead Glover of Fayetteville, AR; Timothy Armstead of North Little Rock, AR; Deborah Armstead Sanders of Little Rock, AR; and Michael Angelo Armstead of Chicago, IL.

She also leaves to cherish her memory her grandchildren: Dr. La Tonya Armstead-Godette (Damien), Ms. Tambra Scales, Fredrick Armstead (Aleya), Jason Rowan, LaShanda Green (James), Tracy Rowan Terry (Christopher), Christopher Govan, Philip Ikani, DeIvory Armstead, Nicholas Glover (Soon), Rickey Sanders, Gabriel Armstead, Brian Sanders, Tim’mara Armstead, and Timothy Armstead Jr., along with a host of great-grandchildren, two great-great-grandsons and cousins.

Her life was a beautiful reflection of faith, love, and devotion to family. She touched countless lives through her kindness, compassion, and genuine warmth. Whether through a comforting hug, laughter shared with loved ones, or the cherished memories created around her table, she had a special way of making everyone feel at home. She leaves behind a lasting legacy of love, strength, and family devotion that will never be forgotten. Though she will be deeply missed, the love she poured into her children and the generations that followed will continue to live on in their hearts for years to come.