Posted on November 7th, 2023
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Roy’s beloved mum Rita, who was 97 years of age .
Many of you may have noticed that Roy has been largely absent from the shop for the past 18 months. This is due to him caring for his elderly mother on a daily basis as her frailty progressed.
Rita was the daughter of the local Doctor, Dr. W.A Coats , whose practice was in Villa Street, Walworth in the thirties until the late fifties. Some of our more senior customers I’m sure will remember him and also the local pharmacist, Tommy Knight, whose chemist shop was in Westmoreland Road, opposite our shop today. Tommy Knight was responsible for introducing Bill Arment and Rita, resulting in their marriage in 1957. Rita joined Bill in running Arment’s and was a Director and the Company secretary for many years. Two years after their marriage they were delighted to be blessed with the birth of their son, Roy.
Whilst looking after his mum, Roy continued with some of the administrative duties and it was during this time that we decided the time was right to pass on the day to day running of Arments to the next generation of the family. Paul has readily taken up the helm with the support of other family members Lorraine and Steve.
As a mark of respect and celebration of Rita’s life, we will be holding a one-minute silence in our shop on Wednesday, November 8th at 11.15 a.m. as our family says farewell to her.