54-year-old ‘Missionary Mother’ died in Grand Blanc Township church attack

By Myesha Johnson, Medianews Group

A 54-year-old girl who transformed to the Church of Jesus Christ of the Saints of the final days and taught a category for 5-year-olds within the church was one of many many victims in a church assault on 28 September.

Thelma Rina Armstrong of Grand Blanc adorned on 28 September within the Grand Blanc Township Church of Jesus Christ of the Saints of the final days when Thomas Jacob Sanford, 40, reportedly rammed his pick-up to the facet of the church, opened the fireplace on congregants.

Two folks have been shot, eight have been injured and two our bodies have been found within the rubble of the church, with the victims in age starting from 6 to 78 years outdated. Sanford was shot on the spot, the police stated.

Providers for Armstrong are at 11 o’clock in Sharp Funeral Houses Fenton Chapel.

Armstrong’s on-line loss of life commercial stated that in 2011 she transformed to the church of Jesus Christ of the Saints of the final days.

“(S) He liked each missionary who visited her home and efforted to be in contact with everybody and their households, ultimately incomes the title of ‘Missionary Mom’,” stated the loss of life commercial.

Armstrong was born on Might 8, 1971 in Klerksdorp, South Africa, to Jacob Daniel du Bruyn and Tersia (Lee) du Bruyn, stated the loss of life commercial.

After emigrating to america, Armstrong labored as a high quality technician at American Axle, “the place she at all times checked out her finest, everybody with a smile greeted and remembered the title of everybody.”

Armstrong raised her two youngsters in “a Christ -oriented home that was at all times open for each youngster who wanted a spot to belong.”

The loss of life commercial stated that her biggest pleasure “was present in her household, particularly her beloved grandchildren. She liked them and embraced her function as” Yia Yia “with infinite love and pleasure.”

People can ship memorial bushes or flowers to the household in reminiscence of Armstrong through a flower store.

Initially revealed: October 6, 2025 at 10:04 AM EDT