Obituaries

Mrs. Armstrong was my 3rd Grade teacher at St Mary's school. She was an awesome teacher who loved her craft. She especially liked diagramming sentences, which was great, because it taught me early the proper structure of sentences. In the 3rd grade, she had us at high school level in diagramming sentences. An amazing teacher. I wish her and her family peace.

We met over 36 years ago; you were younger than I am now. I was in my junior year in college, and you were navigating your 50's. Our lives were quite different then. With the changing seasons in my own life and a few more trips around the sun, I look back and realize how much our lives as women intertwined and the commonalities we share. I had the pleasure to have your wisdom, love, and guidance along the way. Along my own mother, you inspired me as a woman. You both unconsciously advancing women through your own choices – graduating college, having a career, raising a family, and most importantly keeping your faith. You are one of the most creative women I ever met. You loved the written language. Your notes and letters were often written with beautiful poetic qualities that at times I needed translation to understand the meaning. You have a wonderful creative vision seen through your photos. You took the time to frame each shot to achieve your unique vision. Although painstaking for those of us who might have been the subject that day, the results were beautiful. You reflected the true self and beauty of your subjects. Your gifts were always wonderfully thought out and hand selected. One Christmas you gave everyone a book that was selected personally for each person – with 35+ children, spouses, grandchildren, that was a monumental feat. Although the family was spread far apart, you looked for ways to keep everyone connected -- bells on New Year's Day, coca cola cake from your favorite bakery, Russell Stover candies, and much more. You loved all your grandchildren and great-grandchildren. You appreciated the beautiful differences of each one and found joy (and laughter) in listening to them share their thoughts and ideals. Your beautiful smile and encouraging words will be missed. I find comfort that you are rejoicing in heaven, your memories no longer lost and your body no longer in pain. You are back with Glen and so many friends and family you touch

This beautiful woman, my grandmother, went by many names. She started life as Bessie Belle, and was BeBe by the time she married my grandfather. To most of her grandchildren, younger than I and my sister, she was Granny. She liked to play with names, mine, hers, probably most people's. I was JenJen to her, and only her. She was B'ma to me. B'ma was a force to be reckoned with. Through her, I learned how to love someone with very human flaws as part of their makeup. I am grateful to say that, to me, she was pure love. When I was little, she would fill her empty film canisters with coins. A canister, along with Blue Diamond smoked almonds, were treats I could count on when we came to visit. She loved to shop for clothes, and I have fond memories of outings with her. Going to visit was like Christmas for me: all excitement. She had stubbly legs (I had no idea women shaved their legs) that I would eagerly snuggle up next to when I clambered onto her bed, but only after 6am, which was the earliest she would allow me to get out of bed when I visited. She patiently showed me her darkroom. When I was older, she insisted I shop out of her pantry, and when I was in college, would send me cases of mandarin oranges and boxed macaroni and cheese. One year she sent me a huge jar of her local pecans. I was so delighted I rationed them and only found the money she had tucked inside months later. I was the oldest grandchild of the oldest child, and brought the first babies to make her a great-grandmother. I am blessed beyond measure to be part of a very large extended family. She drove us all batty taking the most exacting group photos, trying to get the perfect shot of all bazillion of us. I have so many stories of her. When I look back, I learned about both/ands from my relationship with her. As much as she deeply loved, she was not always kind. She scolded me for not having a back that was perfectly straight, tried (unsuccessfully) to instill in me a respect for brand name

What a beautiful soul....an inspiration to every one she met!

BeBe was always kind in my interactions with her. I knew her best through her phenomenal children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren who lived in and visited Sherman. Her legacy will live through those amazingly intelligent, creative, and thoughtful souls she helped to guide through life. The world is a more gentle, beautiful, and creative space because of BeBe and her family.

Talk about a force of nature! I honestly don't know what Ginny and I would have done without her when our mother started to fail. BeeBee was there with food, a smile and of course advice. Giant heart. My sincere condolences to everyone who loves her. I'm sure Glen was right there waiting.

A precious friend and in-law who added many memories. She will be missed. Memories will help fill the hole in the lives of family and friends. Condolences to all who will miss her.