Portrait of Sherra Armstrong. IMB Photo

Sherra Armstrong, an International Mission Board missionary emeritus who shared the gospel in Peru, Chile and Colombia, died Oct. 17, 2025, in Jackson, Tennessee. She was 74.  

Sherra was born Oct. 30, 1950, in Oneonta, Alabama, to the late Leon Daily and Coy Jean Thompson Daily. She attended Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama.  

While at Samford, Sherra worked at Gateway Children’s Home as a recreation counselor, case aide to a case worker, intake counselor, and houseparent. She met Hayward Armstrong, and they were married on Oct. 14, 1972, and began working together as houseparents. Sherra also worked for Positive Maturity, Inc., as coordinator of social services. They moved to New Orleans, where Hayward attended seminary, and they served together as senior houseparents at Bethlehem Children’s Home. Sherra also enjoyed working as a clerk in the student store on the seminary campus. 

While seeking missionary appointment, Sherra wrote, “I began to feel a leading toward a Christian vocation, but I was not certain in what area. During a missionary service at Southside [Methodist Church] I found my answer and felt God’s call clearly – to commit my life to foreign missions. I was 17 at that time.” 

In 1977, the International Mission Board appointed Hayward and Sherra missionaries to Peru. They later served in Chile and Colombia.  

She is survived by husband of 53 years, William Hayward Armstrong; children, William Taylor Armstrong (Patricia) and Rachel Armstrong Wright (Eric); and five grandchildren. 

A celebration of life service was held Oct. 26 in the chapel of Arrington Funeral Directors in Jackson. 

Read an obituary here.