Della Armbrister Obituary

Della Gaye Martin Armbrister, 93, of Wytheville, Virginia, passed away on Wednesday, September 17, 2025, at New River Valley Medical Center. Born September 14, 1932, in Wythe County, Virginia, she was a daughter of the late Joseph Wesley Martin and Elizabeth Dean Martin. Della/Mom/MawMaw/ "Big D" dearly loved her family and was happiest working in her beautiful rose and flower gardens, traveling with family, and shopping for the latest fashions. Della never met a stranger and enjoyed hearing everyone's life story. Her radiant smile made all feel loved, and she maintained that smile even while very ill. Della's favorite "occupation" was making a home for her family. She also enjoyed working with her beloved husband in his public accounting partnership, Cole and Armbrister. In her later career, Della was a substitute teacher in Wythe County Public Schools. When her health was better, Della enjoyed taking long walks and playing tennis. She and her husband also loved square dancing with the Turnin' Q's Square Dance Club. Della was a member of St. Paul United Methodist Church in Wytheville for over 70 years.

In addition to her parents, Della was preceded in death by her husband of 54 years, Edwin Cleigh Armbrister; her twin sister, Faye Martin Armbrister; her sisters Easter Martin Mabe, Susie Mae Martin, and Lola Martin Shelton; her brothers Paul Martin, Lee Martin, Buford Martin, Orbie Martin, and Dewey Martin; and her grandson Robert "Robbie" Gary Armbrister, Jr.

Survivors include her three loving children, Robert Gary Armbrister and wife Lisa (Wytheville), Sarah Gaye Armbrister Beamer and husband Johnny (Wytheville), and Edwin "Eddie" Cleigh Armbrister, Jr. (Myrtle Beach). Surviving also are four grandchildren, Sarah Elizabeth Beamer, Michael Wesley Armbrister, Caitlin "Ash" Kinsale Armbrister, and Edwin Cleigh Armbrister, III. Della also is survived by two sisters-in-law, Helen Madelin Armbrister Vaughan (Aiken), and Ima Martin (Hillsville); and one brother-in-law, James Herbert Armbrister (Max Meadows).

Funeral services for Della Gaye Martin Armbrister will be conducted at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, September 21, 2025, at St. Paul United Methodist Church, Wytheville, Virginia, with the Reverend Misti McCreary officiating. Burial will follow at West End Cemetery in Wytheville. The family will receive friends one hour before the service at the church, or at the homes of Gary Armbrister or Sarah Beamer at any time.

Our family wishes to express our sincere gratitude for the love and care provided to Della over the past two years by her care team, Jamie Railsback, Judy Williams, Marie Baldwin, and Alexis Delp. We also are grateful for the long-term friendship and recent care provided by Virginia Parsons.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to either St. Paul United Methodist Church, 330 Church Street, Wytheville, Virginia 24382, with a preference to the Building Fund or General Endowment, or the Robbie Armbrister Memorial Family Services Fund of The Community Foundation of New River Valley, P O Box 6009, Christiansburg, VA 24068-6009. Barnett Funeral Home, Wytheville, is serving the family.