Mary Armstrong

Services for Mary Katherine Armstrong, 88, of Crosby, Texas, formerly of Lucerne,
will be held at 1 p.m. Friday in Bethlehem Presbyterian Church.
She died Wednesday, March 15, 2006, in her residence.
Born Oct. 21, 1917, at her grandparent’s farm home near Logansport, she was the
daughter of Harry F. Murden and Anne Yantis Moss. She was married July 3,
1939, in Logansport, to Roland Armstrong, who preceded in death Dec. 24, 1994.
They were married for 55 years before he passed away.
Much of Mary’s early life was spent in Mississippi, but she returned to Indiana and
graduated from high school at Metea in 1935. She graduated from a junior college
in Mississippi in 1937. After working a couple of years, she returned to Indiana and
married Roland Armstrong in 1939 at the Bethlehem Presbyterian Church.
In 1949, the family, including two children, moved to Wabash where her husband
was to become supervising principal of elementary schools. Mary attended
Manchester College graduating in 1952. For five years, she taught in Wabash and
Marion schools.
In 1957, the family moved to Baytown, Texas, where her husband was to enjoy
many happy years teaching at Lee College. Mary taught third grade at Alamo
School for eight years. In 1965, she began teaching at Deer Park. In summers, she
attended Sam Houston State University receiving her M.S. Certification in
Kindergarten and as an elementary school librarian in 1972.
After their home in beautiful Brownwood, Texas was devastated by Hurricane
Carla in 1961, they moved it to higher ground in Crosby, Texas in 1978.
While teaching in Deer Park, Mary volunteered at Sterling Municipal Library on
Saturdays. After retiring, she spent three happy years as Young Peoples Librarian.
Mary wrote several children’s stories which were published in magazines.
In 1976, she compiled a “Vacation Guide for Children,” a listing of educational
outings. She updated the guide yearly and was working on this year’s version.
Sterling Municipal Library prints it and offers it free to patrons. After retiring from
the library, Mary spent a number of years volunteering in Baytown Schools helping
first and second grade children with reading. One of her favorite stories was about
a little boy who read to her in the hall. He looked at her hand and said “You are
old!” “Yes, I know I am,” she said. “Why?” he asked. “I have just lived a long time,”
she told him. Then he said, “Why don’t you move away?” And now she has.
Mary belonged to AARP, NEA, Texas Retired Teachers Association and
Daughters of the American Revolution.
Surviving are one daughter and son-in-law, Ann and Roger Barth, Baker City,
Ore.; five granddaughters; four great-granddaughters; and two great-grandsons.
One son, Jon Armstrong, preceded in death.
Pastor Jay Cline will officiate at the services. Burial will be in Mount Hope
Cemetery.
Friends may call one hour before services Friday at the church.
In lieu of flowers, at Mary’s request, small donations may be made to the Roland
Armstrong Memorial Scholarship at Lee College in Baytown, Texas.
Gundrum Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

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