By Brandon Moseley
Alabama Political Reporter
Thursday, March 23, 2017 Emily Armistead, the wife of former Alabama Republican Party Chairman Bill Armistead was killed when she was struck on Highway 43 in Linden Thursday morning. Mrs. Armistead was killed crossing the highway while walking to Linden United Methodist Church to attend the funeral of Paul Owensby.
Former Chairman Armistead said in a statement: “It is with a heavy heart that I announce that I lost the love of my life today in a tragic automobile accident. Emily and I would have been married 49 years on April 6th and I thank God for giving me the woman that He created to be my wife for these wonderful years. And, there could not have been a better wife, mother and grandmother in all the world. Now, Emily is with Jesus for all of eternity where I look forward to joining her at God’s chosen time. Thanks to my many friends who have heard the news today and I am sorry I haven’t been able to respond to all. I felt this was the best way to get the word out to as many as possible. We covet your prayers.”
Emergency medical personnel transported Armistead to Bryan W. Whitfield Memorial Hospital in Demopolis, where she died from injuries sustained in the accident. Armistead and her husband, Bill, were reportedly together at the time of the accident.
Bill served as chairman of the Alabama Republican Party for four years from 2011 to 2015, which were a period of unprecedented success for the Alabama Republican Party. Chairman Armistead previously served as a state Senator and was a GOP candidate for Lieutenant Governor.
US Representative Robert Aderholt (R-Haleyville) said on Twitter, “My thoughts & prayers are with former Alabama GOP chair Bill Armistead & his family tonight at the tragic loss of his wife Emily.”
(Original reporting by Jeremy D. Smith with the West Alabama Watchman contributed to this report).
