Essie Armstrong Rath, 68, of Roper died Monday, October 1, surrounded by family.

Born August 18, 1950 in Tyrrell County she was the daughter of the late Phillip Avery Armstrong, Sr. and Elsie Patrick Armstrong and was preceded in death by her sister Linda A. Sawyer and son-in-law Jeffrey Jones.  Essie was a homemaker, a Sunday School teacher and active member of Zion’s Chapel Church of Christ.

Survivors include husband David Orlo Rath of Roper, daughter Lori Rath Jones and husband Dean of Farmville, son Travis David Rath and wife Diana of Greenville, sister Audrey A. Midgette of Belhaven, brothers Phillip A. Armstrong Jr. and wife Vicki of Creswell, Davie Royce Armstrong and Larry James Armstrong of Chesapeake, Va., grandchildren Ashley Grace Jones, Paul David Jones, Liam Travis Rath and Sadie Grace Rath.

A funeral service was held Thursday, October 4. Flowers are welcome or donations may be made to Zion’s Chapel Church of Christ.

Arrangements are by Maitland Funeral Home, Plymouth.

Online condolences may be made to the family at www.maitlandfuneralhome.com.