Marina P. Armistead

Marina lived a truly remarkable life. She was born in Riga, Latvia, on February 22, 1928 to Mikhail and Maria Akimov-Peretz, refugees from the Russian Revolution. In 1939, at the age of 11, she left behind the life she knew and sailed with her parents from Bergen, Norway to the United States in one of the last transatlantic passenger convoys in the early days of World War II. She arrived not speaking a word of English or knowing anyone, but quickly picked up the language and became a patriotic American. She carried her profound gratitude to the United States with her throughout her life.

She and her parents first settled in Richmond, Virginia, before eventually moving to Roanoke, Virginia. There she graduated from Our Lady of Nazareth Parochial School and went on to earn her bookkeeping certificate.

In Roanoke, she met the love of her life, John Graff Armistead, the older brother of her close friend Theresa Armistead Bouldin. They married in 1953, and enjoyed a marriage of 64 years. They eventually settled in Springfield, Virginia, where they raised their two daughters Maria (Mia) and Elizabeth.

In Springfield, Marina was an active volunteer at St. Alban’s and St. Barnabas Episcopal churches, where she ran the jewelry and book sales at their annual bazaars. She traveled to many an antique store and yard sale, hunting for treasures. She also was a beloved Brownie troop leader, even writing a play for her troop to perform.

Marina was an avid reader. Her home library with thousands of volumes was well known by friends and family alike. Throughout her life, she demonstrated a gift for foreign languages, speaking 5: her native Russian, as well as English, German, French, and Latvian. She also enjoyed playing cards, particularly bridge, and ensured all of her family learned how to play the game.

Marina had a joyous, theatrical side to her, and was always a crowd favorite in church and school plays. She had a delightful sense of humor, a quick wit, and an infectious laugh. At times she was known to even pull a prank or two. She was the life of every party and loved to dance, which she did beautifully. Once she even jitterbugged as a teenager atop the 80’ tall Carvins Cove Dam in Roanoke.

Marina moved with her husband John to Central, Louisiana in 2012, where she spent her final years surrounded by family.

Despite experiencing the traumas of World War II in her youth, including losing almost her entire extended family, Marina had a caring and loving heart and brought so much light to the world. She took comfort in her deep Christian faith, believing every day to be a blessing. She was known for literally giving the coat off of her back to strangers in need, and made friends everywhere she went. She dearly and unconditionally loved all of her family and her many “adopted grandchildren.” Every night she would pray for the long list of people in her life.

Marina is survived by her daughter Maria Armistead Freneaux and husband Dave of Central, Louisiana, and daughter Elizabeth Armistead Andrews and husband Ron of Williamsburg, Virginia. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Elizabeth Armistead Fussell and husband John, Michelle Freneaux Chassaing and husband Amos, William Harrison Andrews and husband Wesley, and Peter Clayton Andrews and wife Alexandra. She is also survived by her great-grandchild, Emrys Fussell, who brought her great joy in her later years.

Marina was preceded in death by her mother, Maria (Mary) von Mebes Perts; her father, Michael C. Perts; her stepfather, John C. Perts; and her husband, John.

A visitation from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. and a funeral at 10:00 a.m. will be held on Tuesday, November 7 at Francis Asbury Methodist Church. (Church address: 15447 Old Hammond Hwy, Baton Rouge.) A burial will be held later at Evergreen Cemetery, Roanoke, Virginia. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Covenant House https://www.covenanthouse.org/

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.centralfuneralhomela.com for the Armistead family.