The Scholarship

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My name is Doyle K. Armstrong Sr. I am the President of the Shirley Leota Foreman Armstrong

Scholarship Fund (the “SLFASF”) is a non profit 501c3 Scholarship, Soup Kitchen and Food Pantry set up in memory of my beloved Mother.

Throughout her incredible life, she derived joy from the performing arts, including singing,

dancing, jazz, blues, and other forms of popular music. Singing was her real passion. And she was good

at it! She became known for her petite build, jazzy outfits, walking stride, and trademark sassy mouth.

In her honor, I have set up a Scholarship  for a deserving high school senior starting school

at an accredited college or university, preferably that plans to major in Communications, Journalism,

Music or Dance to reflect my mother’s life-long love of the arts. High school seniors are preferred but we will consider all

candidates that are on the  Undergraduate level.

The Inspiration

Shirley Leota Foreman Armstrong was born in Elizabeth, New Jersey on November 16, 1929, to the late

Howard M. Foreman Sr. and Helen Banks Foreman. Shirley was a member of Shiloh Baptist Church in Elizabeth,  and knew that

nothing could be accomplished without Christ. She remained a devout parishioner until God called her home on January 29, 2013,

at the age of 83.

Shirley attended the Elizabeth Public School system, graduating from Battin High

School in 1949. She would go on to hold a variety of jobs in the city, where her enthusiasm and

seemingly boundless energy made her a local treasure.

In 1963 Shirley, or "Aunt Shirley" as she would later become affectionally referred to by many of her

students, became a school crossing guard. She dedicated over 40 years of her life to the city of Elizabeth

making sure that each child got safely to class every day. Shirley’s commitment to youth was also

evident through her work for the Elizabeth recreation department, where she made sure that the

community could safely enjoy local playgrounds and recreational centers.

Shirley also worked at the Elizabeth General Hospital in the dietary department, bringing joy to a

sometimes sad place. She even put a smile on the face of Mayor Bollwage’s father while he was a

patient.

It was not enough for Shirley to just help the children and sick though. She also wanted to make her

neighborhood a better and safer place. She was a member of the Neighborhood Watch, working along side of  the late Reverend Joe Adair

and others to monitor the activities of the

community and improve the relationship between the public and the police.

This long-standing commitment to service and community earned Shirley accolades from several

community groups, including the Elizabeth Chapter of the NAACP. It also made Shirley some notable

friends. In fact, at Shirley’s funeral, the entire church was filled, with many more overflowing into the

frigid January air waiting to pay their respects. Mayor Chris Bollwage and long-standing Union County

The late Sheriff Ralph Froehlich both attended and spoke about Shirley’s life-long dedication to the city of

Elizabeth.

I want to ensure that her memory lives on through more service to this community, which is why I have started this Scholarship!