Hassan K. Shareef

“I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.” Hassan Khalil Shareef 73, of Marion, Virginia, received his wings at Johnston Memorial Hospital, Abingdon, Virginia on December 31, 2020; and is now resting in the arms of our Lord. Hassan was born Melvin Armstrong in Suffolk, VA to the late Bishop Paul Armstrong and Mother Maude E. Coats Armstrong. In 1980 He converted to the Islamic faith; however, he always reminded us and our mother that he would never forget nor defer from his upbringing and roots in the Pentecostal faith. Besides his parents he was preceded in death by his sister, LaVerne Armstrong-Johnson; and brothers, Calvin Armstrong and Paul C. Armstrong. He attended Suffolk Public School, and later obtained his GED. Over the years he worked as carpenter and brick mason in Alexandria, Virginia; New York City, and he also made beautiful picture frames. Earlier years before relocating North, Hassan will always be remembered how he and our oldest brother, Paul Jr. would assist our father, the founder of the ministry, with converting our home on Osceola Ave to Paul’s Temple Holiness Church and building rooms on the back of the church for our family. He also later become the main construction worker to lay the foundation for our new church on the corners of Factory and Osceola Ave, Suffolk, VA. He loved working with our father eventho they almost never saw eye to eye about anything else. Our Mom, the co-founder, would say they were so much alike and both were equally as stubborn as a mule. (LOL) Yet their love for each other and for the work of the Lord birthed the beginning structure of the house of God that stands today as a part New Paul’s Temple Holiness Church. He had a special affection for his nieces and nephews and loved them all as his own. Whenever he called, he would ask about each family member by name expressing his love for everyone; and never ceasing to tell us to be careful and be safe. He leaves to cherish his memory, six sisters, Mary A. Byrant, Ellen D. DeMary both of‘ Suffolk, VA; Annie F. Armstrong of New York, NY; Pastor Gertrude Armstrong-Golden of Virginia Beach, VA; Sandra (Michael) William of Virginia Beach, VA; Cassie K. (James) Williams of Newport News, VA. Two brothers, Minister Toshan (Christine) Armstrong of Suffolk, VA, and Pastor Quinton (Olivia) Franklin of Suffolk, VA. Three step-brothers, Leon Porter of Suffolk, Calvin Porter of Portsmouth, and Bishop Aaron Porter of Suffolk. Two step-sisters, Marlene Porter of Suffolk and Clara Porter of Newport News. Seventeen nieces, eight nephews, seventeen great nieces, eleven great nephews, twenty-one great great nieces and nephews, one great great great nephew, a special cousin, Arthur (Billy) Thorpe, and a host cousins, relatives, and friends. Melvin (as we so affectionately call you) our brother, uncle, cousin, and friend, you are our HERO. Over the years you endured so much pain and suffering with humbleness and grace with no bitterness or hatred. You grounded yourself in your faith as you developed a true and lasting relationship with God. Through it all you never stopped loving and caring for family. We will miss your great laughter and we will miss YOU! We carry you in our Hearts! REST NOW IN THE INCREDIBLE ARMS OF OUR LORD “The Lord shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul. The Lord shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.” Psalm 121:7-8 A public viewing will be held 4-6 p.m. Saturday, January 16, 2021 in the Melvin J. Blowe Chapel. A private family graveside service will be held 12:00 p.m. Sunday, January 17, 2021. In accordance with safety guidelines, our family requests phone calls, cards and text messages in lieu of visitations. Your expressions of love and condolences may be sent to P.O. box 5773, Virginia Beach, VA 23471. Professional services with dignity have been entrusted to Crocker Funeral Home, Inc. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Hassan K. Shareef, please visit our flower store.