๐ป๐ธ๐ฝ๐ณ๐ด๐ฝ ๐ฟ๐๐ฑ๐ป๐ธ๐ฒ ๐๐ฒ๐ท๐พ๐พ๐ป๐, ๐ฝ๐น โ The Linden Board of Education honored a true pillar of the community at its Dec. 12 public meeting, presenting the prestigious โIt Takes a Villageโ Award to Anna Lucille Lewis Armstead. Surrounded by her children, grandchildren, and an adoring community, the 90-year-old matriarch was recognized for a lifetime dedicated to uplifting families and fostering resilience in her Linden neighborhood.
Born in Newark in 1934 to Fannie and George Lewis, Anna was one of seven children. In 1959, she married Rubin Henry Armstead, and the couple settled in Linden to raise their five children: Jimmy, Derek, Lisa, Mark, and Sonia. Together, Anna and Rubin built a home defined by love, values, and support, sharing 55 years of marriage before Rubinโs passingโjust one month shy of their 56th wedding anniversary.
๐ง๐ต๐ฒ ๐จ๐น๐๐ถ๐บ๐ฎ๐๐ฒ ๐๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ด๐ถ๐๐ฒ๐ฟ ๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ ๐๐ผ๐บ๐บ๐๐ป๐ถ๐๐ ๐ฃ๐ถ๐น๐น๐ฎ๐ฟ
โMom was the ultimate wife, mother, and caregiver,โ said her daughter Lisa A. Ormon. โShe raised us with love, always ensuring we had a hot meal, clean clothes, and a warm home. Her devotion to family was unparalleled.โ
Annaโs nurturing spirit extended far beyond her immediate family. Living on East Blancke Street, she became the neighborhood babysitter, providing affordable childcare to parents who couldnโt afford traditional daycare. Her home became a sanctuary for children, offering a place where they felt safe and loved.
โShe cared for children, their children, and even their grandchildren,โ Ormon added. โMom never turned anyone away. Her kindness and generosity were unmatched.โ
Annaโs granddaughter, Brianna, summed up her legacy: โShe truly embodies the saying, โIt takes a village.โ I couldnโt think of anyone more deserving of this honor.โ
๐ ๐๐ฒ๐น๐ฒ๐ฏ๐ฟ๐ฎ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป ๐ผ๐ณ ๐๐ถ๐ณ๐ฒ๐น๐ผ๐ป๐ด ๐ฆ๐ฒ๐ฟ๐๐ถ๐ฐ๐ฒ
The award presentation was filled with heartfelt reflections from family members, district officials, and community leaders. Her granddaughter Abigail, a Linden High School senior, spoke about how her grandmotherโs legacy continues to inspire the familyโs commitment to the Linden community.
โAnna Armsteadโs kindness extended beyond her family to support teachers, students, and parents throughout Linden,โ said another granddaughter, Brianna Armstead, who also serves as a school board member. โHer efforts in after-school programming and childcare were vital to the districtโs success.โ
๐ ๐ง๐ฟ๐ฎ๐ถ๐น๐ฏ๐น๐ฎ๐๐ฒ๐ฟ ๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ ๐ ๐ผ๐ฟ๐ฎ๐น ๐๐ผ๐บ๐ฝ๐ฎ๐๐
Annaโs role as a caregiver and community leader was a recurring theme throughout the evening. โShe wasnโt just a babysitter,โ said her daughter Sonia. โShe was a way maker for women. She was a trailblazer before trailblazing was even a thing.โ
Her son,
, credited his values and political success to his motherโs guidance. Recalling a pivotal moment early in his career, he shared how she discouraged him from negative campaigning, which shaped his approach to leadership.
โI wouldnโt be the mayor if it wasnโt for that woman right there,โ he said with gratitude. โSheโs been a political adviser, a moral compass, and a source of strength for our family.โ
๐ง๐ผ๐๐ฐ๐ต๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐๐ฒ๐ป๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ฎ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป๐
Annaโs impact on the Linden community has spanned decades and touched countless lives. Her sister, Elaine Mosley, shared a personal story of how Anna welcomed her and her son into her home during a challenging time. โShe treated me and my son like family,โ Mosley said. โShe was an amazing sister, always there to protect and support us.โ
Her influence has also extended across generations. Officer Antonio Wilson, one of the many children she cared for, shared that his own son now attends McManus Middle School. Stories like these underscore how Annaโs kindness has created a lasting legacy of service and community.
๐ ๐ฆ๐๐บ๐ฏ๐ผ๐น ๐ผ๐ณ ๐ฆ๐๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ป๐ด๐๐ต ๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ ๐ฅ๐ฒ๐๐ถ๐น๐ถ๐ฒ๐ป๐ฐ๐ฒ
The evening concluded with reflections on Annaโs life as a symbol of Lindenโs resilience and vitality.
โWhen you look at the health of a city, you see it in the lives of its people,โ one speaker remarked. โHaving residents like Mrs. Armstead living vibrant, meaningful lives into their 90s shows the strength of our community.โ
Annaโs humility was evident as she accepted the award. โI didnโt need an award,โ she said. โWatching these children grow up and succeed was my reward. Itโs about working hard and helping others, not expecting anything in return.โ
When asked about her advice for future generations, Anna offered these wise words: โWork hard for what you want. Be faithful. Follow your dreams, and donโt let anyone push you into something you donโt want to do.โ
๐ง๐ต๐ฒ ๐ง๐ฟ๐ฎ๐ป๐๐ณ๐ผ๐ฟ๐บ๐ฎ๐๐ถ๐๐ฒ ๐ฃ๐ผ๐๐ฒ๐ฟ ๐ผ๐ณ ๐๐ผ๐๐ฒ ๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ ๐ฆ๐ฒ๐ฟ๐๐ถ๐ฐ๐ฒ
The Dec. 12 public meeting served as a powerful tribute to Anna Lucille Lewis Armsteadโs life and legacy. Her unwavering commitment to love, strength, and kindness has inspired her family and the entire Linden community to uphold the values she cherishes.
As applause filled the room, it was clear that Anna Armsteadโs life is a testament to the transformative power of love, service, and community.