Dr. Sharon Armstrong-Watkins

Dr Sharon Ann Armstrong Watkins was born September 17, 1954, in Cincinnati, Ohio to late Pastor George E. Brown and First Lady Delores J. Brown.  She was the third child of eight children born to this union.  Dr. Sharon attended Lincoln Heights Elementary and graduated from Princeton High School in 1977. 

On January 14, 1971, she and her high school sweetheart, Fred Andrews, welcomed her first born daughter, Sharron.  On April 22, 1972, Sharon was united in marriage to  Michael Armstrong her husband of 21 years, and to this union two daughters, Gracie and Amy were born.

Dr. Sharon continued her educational studies whiles serving in various governmental and community organizations.  Memberships included, NAACP, Rainbow PUSH, Gospel Music Workshop of America to name a few and many, many others.   

In April 1973, she joined Church of God Militant Pillar and Ground of the Truth in Lockland under the pastorate of Bishop Burress.  Dr. Sharon was called  to ministry in the spring of 1981 under the pastorate of Bishop Cornelius Price at Vine Street Church of God Militant Pillar and Ground of the Truth.

Not one to find herself comfortable with just having a title, Dr. Sharon ministered in prisons in Kentucky, preached many tent revivals, provided Chaplin services to District One.  She was a constant intercessor, confidant, and encourager to many.

Dr. Sharon worked closely with her godfather and Mentor, the late, Bishop Johnny L. Johnson of Bethlehem Temple and help many ministry get established. She was a liaison between various corporations and played a key role in helping many local churches obtain financing. 

Dr. Sharon a liaison between the community, government and, business developed partnerships with Mr. Carl Lindner and Mr. Buddy LaRosa to bring assistance to many. She worked with closely with Judge Leslie Isaiah Gaines, Attorney Ken Lawson, Mayor Dwight Tillery, Lt. Colonel Twitty, and Courtis Fuller.  She always fought to ensure fair treatment and sentences for African Americans.

She worked with homeless programs, fed the hungry, back to school drives, made sure those who had no clothes had clothing.  Dr. Sharon was active in Hands Across American, Jump for Your Heart with the American Heart Association, Down with Dope, Up with Hope  and helped raise funds for Jerry Lewis’ Neediest Kids of All.  She also worked with gun turn in initiatives to reduce gun violence and keep our neighborhoods safe. Dr. Sharon even met with Magic Johnson to aid underserved children in the community.  At the time of her death, she was planning a home for at risk young boys.

From 1984-1992, she led a Double Dutch them around the world.  They won 1^st place competition in Florida.

In the early eighties she founded Ambassadors for Christ along with her adopted family, The Lees.  She was a proud adopted daughter to Bishop James and Mother Erlene Lee and big sister to Tony, Mike, Greg, Jimmy, and Judy and, auntie, niece, and cousin to the rest of the family.

She would often serve as Emcee for many programs around the city, one her highlights, was as emcee for the world-renowned Clark Sisters for their concert at Bibleway Church of God in Christ.

Of the many accolades Dr. Armstrong has received over the years, she is most proud of winning female gospel artist of the award from the Gospel Music Workshop of America. 

In June 2003 Dr. Sharon was united in holy matrimony with Elder Frank Watkins and the two did ministry work together until the time of her promotion to Glory.

Dr. Sharon Armstrong Watkins was preceded in death by her parents, Pastor George and Lady Delores Brown, her godfather and mentor, Dr. Johnny L. Johnson; left to cherish precious memories and to carry on her legacy are her husband, Elder Frank Watkins, her three beautiful daughters, Sharron Leonard, Gracie Armstrong, and Amy (Paul) McMillan; son, Eric (Keisha) Brantley; grandchildren, Aurelius (Aurgeo), Richard and Belinda Leonard, Lakeisha Hawthorne (Davon), Shearia and Isaiah Jones, Miracle Brooks, Yma, and Paul McMillan IV, Eron and Eric Brantley, Jr.; great grandchildren, Abigail Sutherland, Myah Bowling, William Sutherland, Alaya and Amiya Hawthorne; siblings, George Brown, Sheila Brown, Diane (Emanuel)Wilson, Michael (Victoria) Brown, Versailles Brown, Angela Brown, and Robin Brown, many, many, adopted children, brothers, sisters, family and friends too numerous to name. 

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