Jailah Miasia Kennedy Armstrong was born on October 11, 1999, to Vakesha Wester and the late Rodney Allen Armstrong in Albany, Georgia. She peacefully departed this life on June 21, 2026, surrounded by family and friends after a brief battle with recurring brain cancer. She leaves behind a legacy filled with love, compassion, unwavering faith, and a spirit that radiated the goodness of God.

Jailah accepted Christ at an early age under the leadership and spiritual guidance of Pastor Emeritus Rev. Dr. Emory C. Virgil, where she was baptized. It was there that the seeds of faith were planted, and through her life experiences, those seeds were cultivated and bore fruit during some of the most difficult moments of her brief yet impactful life.

Jailah was known by many names, including Jailah Buttons, Jay Bae, and Jay the Invincible, but the name that held the most significance and best described her was “Warrior.” We often called her a survivor, and indeed she was—a 14-year brain cancer survivor—but “Warrior” suited her best because brain cancer was not the only battle she faced. Regardless of the challenges faced by her, she was determined to overcome them, and she did so with dignity and grace, never losing her faith.

From an early age, Jailah possessed a spirit that naturally drew people to her. She carried herself with grace, compassion, and a sincere concern for others. She had a unique gift for making people feel important, appreciated, and loved.

Jailah attended Thomas County Central High School and went on to pursue an associate degree in Occupational Therapy Assistant Studies at the “Unsinkable” Albany State University, graduating in 2021. After working with children diagnosed with autism as a Registered Behavior Technician in the Atlanta area, she decided to return to school to pursue a degree in psychology, with the goal of becoming a Child Life Specialist. She desired to help children navigate some of the scariest and most difficult times of their lives, just as she had done as a 12-year-old receiving chemotherapy and radiation treatment. At the time of her transition, she was preparing to enter her second semester.

The most important things to Jailah were “God, Family, and Food,” in that exact order. She was asked on many occasions what her favorite hobby was, and every time she answered without hesitation, “Spending time with family.” She would often say, “Family is Amazing!” This truly captured the essence of who Jailah was as a person.

Jailah was preceded in death by her father, Rodney Allen Armstrong; her grandfathers, Luther Gordon, Rev. Charlie Stephens, Jake Gordon, James C. Delaney, Roy Allen Armstrong, and Bernard Dupane; her grandmothers, Louise Stephens, Willie Mae Sanders, Lucille Armstrong, and Julia Bell Smith; and special uncles, Terry Stephens and Joseph Brown.

Jailah leaves to cherish her memory her loving and devoted mother, Vakesha Wester (Kenyon) of Tallahassee, Florida; brothers, Charod Armstrong of Covington, Georgia, Rodney Armstrong Jr. of Tifton, Georgia, Kristian Wester of Valdosta, Georgia, and Devin Samuel of Thomasville, Georgia; sisters, Kylie Wester of Cumberland, Georgia, Kennedy Wester of Havana, Florida, and Dakaja Samuel of Thomasville, Georgia; uncle, Terence Armstrong (Dorothy); aunts, Tameka Brown of Thomasville, Georgia, Erika Armstrong of Albany, Georgia, Tara Dupayne, Teralyn Dupayne-Lee, and Shenika Dupayne of Tallahassee, Florida; grandmothers, Lucille Gordon of Thomasville, Georgia, and Alice Armstrong (Allen) of Covington, Georgia; special aunts, Alice Stephens of Fayetteville, North Carolina, Patricia Wright (Michael) of Jacksonville, Florida, Susie Smith of Albany, GA and Polly Green of Snellville, GA; special cousins, Porsche Harrell of Fayetteville, North Carolina, Myles Stephens of Lawrenceville, New Jersey, and Terence Armstrong Jr. of Grayson, Georgia; god-daughter, Jariah Diggs; and special friends, Bionce Cadet and Kartavis Robins, as well as a host of aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends who loved her dearly.