Pearlene Armstrong

Pearlene Armstrong was born in Raeford, North Carolina on May 24, 1925 to the late Mr. Charles Wesley Bullard and Mrs. Darnella McEachin Bullard. She exchanged time for eternity on February 21, 2026 in Trenton, New Jersey. At her passing, she had lived 100 blessed years. In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by seven sisters and four brothers; daughter-in-law, Lena Armstrong; and son-in-law, Elijah Tard, Jr.

She married the late Curtis Armstrong on December 24, 1944 in Bennettsville, South Carolina. Their union produced William Jurean Armstrong, Juanita Armstrong Tard, James Wesley Armstrong (Mary), Gwynn Armstrong Murray (Nathaniel), and Yolanda Armstrong.

Pearlene relocated from Laurinburg, North Carolina to Trenton in the early 1950s as part of the Great Migration. Throughout her entire life, she loved to travel and was known to take road trips to North Carolina to visit family. She enjoyed driving well into her nineties.

She retired in 1986 from the State of New Jersey after 35 years of service. After her official retirement, she held numerous jobs, including a number of years as a bus driver and a lunch aide at Grant Elementary School in Trenton. She also served as a volunteer with many community organizations, including the Children's Home Society.

She was a former member of the Galilee Baptist Church in Trenton, where she served as an usher and on the Mother's Board. She often drove the church bus to National Baptist Convention conferences in various states. She also loved playing bingo and going to the casino with her best friend, Gladys Diamond. She was affectionately known as "Top Cat" by friends and church members. In her later years, she joined New Salem Baptist Church in Trenton, where she served faithfully until relocating to North Carolina during 2021.

In addition to her children, she leaves to mourn her passing: one sister, Elner Jean Austin of Laurinburg, NC; one brother-in-law, Harry Armstrong of Laurinburg, NC; one sister-in-law, Maggie Armstrong of Laurinburg, NC. She is survived by grandchildren: Kimberlyn Tard, Carina Barnett, Sonja Nadia Armstrong, William Jurean Armstrong (Nicole), James Wesley Armstrong, Jr., Elijah Tard Ill, Scottie Armstrong, Stacey Beasley (Santonio), Curtis Armstrong, Quiana Dawson (Choo), Brittany White, Shakiraa Armstrong (Eddie), Bernadette Whitaker, Dwaine L. Whitaker, Jr., and Maia Riley. Pearlene had 37 great-grandchildren and 15 great-great grandchildren.

Surviving are special friends: Linda Warner, Janet Falls, and Nakisha Swan as well as goddaughters, Keisha Falls and Tametrius Gerald. She was predeceased byspecial friends, Mother Gladys Diamond and Mother Rosa L. Glover. She is also survived by longtime neighbors: Barbara Tatum and Rock.

Funeral service will be 11am Saturday, March 7, 2026 at For The Glory God, 471 Parkway Ave., Trenton, NJ 08618. Calling hour will be 10am until the time of service at the church. Interment will be at Fountain Lawn Memorial Park, Ewing, NJ. 

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