POPLARVILLE — David Wesley Armstrong, 51, of Poplarville, Miss. went to be with his Lord in Heaven on September 25, 2012 after a long battle of cancer. Funeral services will be 2 p.m., Saturday, September 29, 2012 at First Baptist Church, Poplarville with interment following in Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens with military honors.

David was born in Pleasant Grove, Alabama on June 10, 1961. He made his worldly home in Poplarville, Mississippi with his loving wife Beth ; his three children Benjamin, Trae, and Leslie, and two grandchildren Keagan, and Andy. David was a family man, acknowledged gun marksman, avid fisherman, and great story teller who will be greatly missed by his family and friends.

He was a man who put others first and lived a life of service. He proudly served as a police officer beginning in 1988 until he had to medically retire in 2010. During his service as a police officer he served the community in numerous ways throughout the years. He had been a D.A.R.E. instructor, sniper marksman with the Multi-Jurisdictional Task Force SWAT team, Law Enforcement Driver Training Instructor, Captain, Patrolman, Poplarville Municipal Separate School District’s School Resource Officer, and many other duties. He received numerous awards and honors during his tenure as a police officer including “Officer of the Year” in December of 2010.

David also had a love for his country and served the United States well beginning at a young age of 17 when he joined the United States Coast Guard in 1979. David was a Gunnersmate with the United States Coast Guard with Duty Stations included but not limited to Alemeda, Calif.; Santa Rosa, Fla.; Governor’s Island, NY; New Orleans, La.; Portsmouth, Va.; U.S.C.G Cutter Ingham, WHEC-35; U.S.C.G. Cutter Durable, WMEC-628. He also served as a Sergeant in The Mississippi Army National Guard, 1066th Supply from 1983-1985.

David knew that he was “right with the Lord.” He stated while sick that he was not afraid to die. He took a chance of not coming home from work on his job daily before retiring medically. He was only afraid of what he would be leaving behind because he was happy and content with all the love that he had and all the love he could give.

David was preceded in death by: his grandparents; Mr. and Mrs. Homer Alpha (Eleanor Harrison) Sanders, Mr. Ersy Lee Armstrong and Mrs. Amy Lee Armstrong; his father-in-law, H.K. Rouse; and his brother-in–law, Mr. Don Fields.

David is survived by: his loving wife and devoted caregiver, Mary Elizabeth-Ann Rouse “Beth” Armstrong. His three wonderful children Benjamin - David Rouse “Benjamin” Armstrong, Byron Lee “Trae” Brewer III, and Leslie Ann “Leslie” Armstrong; his two adoring grandchildren Keagan Timothy “Keagan” Armstrong and Vincent Andrew “Andy” Brewer.

He is also survived by: his loving parents, Don and Betty (Sanders) Armstrong of Poplarville, Miss.; his sisters, Mrs. Sharon (Armstrong) Fields of Pleasant Grove, Ala. and Mrs. Lea (Armstrong) Saucier and her husband Mr. Harold Saucier of Poplarville. His devoted and caring mother-in-law, Mary Nell (Pearson) Rouse of Carriere, Miss.; his brother-in-laws, Mr. HK Rouse, Jr. and his wife Mrs. Susan Rouse of Chattanooga, Tenn. and Mr. Robert Ellis Rouse and his wife Mrs. Denise Rouse of Carriere. His nephews and nieces: Bubba Fields, Beth Fields, Chaz Fields, Mr. and Mrs. Kevin(Ashleigh Saucier) Crow, Lillie Crow, Amanda Saucier, Dain Saucier, Christie Dickerson, Eli Saucier, Mr. and Mrs. Will (Ashley Lee) Rouse, Olivia Rouse, Scott Brown; and many aunts, uncles, and cousins. David is also survived by all of his colleagues in law enforcement that he respectfully considered family.

Visitation will be 6 p.m.-9 p.m., Friday, September 28, 2012 at White Funeral Home, 315 Highway 11 South, Poplarville, MS 39470.

Online condolences may be given at www.whitefuneralhomepoplarville.com.

White Funeral Home, Poplarville (601) 795-4982.