In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Ruby Elizabeth Harrell; sisters, Velda Agee and Norma Cassell; brothers, Gorman, Mahlon and Bill Harrell.
He is survived by his sisters, Evelie Agee and Reva Sue Lucas; many beloved nieces and nephews; and his longtime great friend and farming partner, William Gregory.
Armand attended college in North Carolina and Tennessee and graduated from Carson-Newman College in 1952 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree. In 1963 he received a graduate degree in Public School Administration from the University of Virginia. Armand began his teaching career in 1952 with the Patrick County School system and transferred to the Henry County School System in 1960.
In 1980, Armand entered state service with the Commonwealth of Virginia Department of Education. He retired in the fall of 1987. Upon retirement, he became active with the Virginia Retired Teachers Association and the AARP Drive Safety Program. Armand was president of the Henry County/Martinsville City Retired Teachers Association for four years and was president of the District E Retired Teachers Association from 2001 to 2003. He also served as a representative for Area 5A, District E of the Virginia Retired Teachers Association.
Armand and his wife were very active in many church and community activities. He was a member of First Baptist Church of Martinsville and the Piedmont Masonic Lodge #152. Armand had become a charter member of the Ridgeway Lions Club when it was organized in 1967. He and Ruby were also very supportive of local law enforcement and always attended the local Seniors and Law Enforcement working Together (SALT) meetings. Ruby, who was selected as the “Citizen of the Year” by the Martinsville Police Department, was a strong supporter of Armand and accompanied him to all the local, district and state retired teachers’ meetings, where she was always “lending a helping hand”.
Armand also loved farming and had a great heart for animals.
A visitation will be held from 12:00 pm to 12:50 pm on Wednesday, July 30, 2025, at McKee-Stone Funeral Home. A funeral service will follow at 1:00 pm and will be officiated by Reverend Dennis Knight. Interment will follow at Roselawn Burial Park Abbey.
The family extends their sincere appreciation for the great care provided by the fourth-floor nurses and staff at SOVAH in Martinsville and to the nurses with Mountain Valley Hospice.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First Baptist Church of Martinsville, 23 Starling Avenue, Martinsville, VA. 24112 or to Mountain Valley Hospice & Palliative Care, 240 Commonwealth Blvd. West, Suite 602 B, Martinsville, VA. 24112.
McKee-Stone Funeral Home is serving the family. To express condolences online, please visit www.collinsmckeestonemartinsville.com.
