Wilma Armstrong

On Friday, February 24, 2017, Wilma Lee Webb Armstrong graduated to glory and met her Savior face-to-face. Wilma was born August 30, 1921, to Zella Elizabeth Bernard Webb and Albert Webb in Fargo, Oklahoma. She grew up during The Great Depression, moving frequently with her family between Oklahoma and Texas. Wilma graduated from High School in Fargo, Oklahoma, in May, 1938, moved to Lubbock, Texas and attended Texas Tech University for 1 year. Her parents were unable to pay her tuition after that first year, so Wilma had to quit college and moved to New Mexico to work. She met and married John H. (Bill) Armstrong in Carlsbad, New Mexico, on December 14, 1940. They lived in South-eastern New Mexico for a short period of time until Bill was drafted into WWII. Upon his return from Japan, they moved to Leadville, Colorado where Bill worked in the mines. Their first son, James H. Armstrong, was born in Leadville on June 10, 1942. Bill was drafted once again into WWII, and when he returned they moved to Bisbee, Arizona. Their second son, Jack William Armstrong, was born in Bisbee on May 26, 1945. They eventually relocated back to Hobbs, NM where Bill began a painting business. Their third son, Jerry Webb Armstrong, was born in Hobbs, NM on March 23, 1949. The couple settled in Hobbs, and made this their permanent home. Their first daughter, Jo Beth Armstrong DeSoto, was born in Hobbs on August 31, 1960, and their second daughter, Judith Ann Armstrong Dickey, was born on December 10, 1963.

Wilma was employed by Hobbs Municipal Schools as the Snack Bar Manager for over 20 years. She also worked in the church nursery at Taylor Memorial Baptist Church for over 30 years. Wilma was known for her cooking skills, especially her Coconut Cream Pies, her Apple Dumplings, and her Apricot Fried Pies. Anyone who knew her, loved her pastries. She cared for many, many babies in the church nursery, always offering council to the concerned parents. She loved these babies as her own, and all of the church members knew it.

Wilma is survived by her children: Jim Armstrong and wife Glenda of Castle Rock, Colorado; Jerry Armstrong of Sacramento, California; Jo Beth Armstrong DeSoto and husband Richard of Plainview, Texas; and Judy Armstrong Dickey and husband Bill of Marion, Indiana. She is also survived by her grandchildren: John Dirk Armstrong and wife Claire of Texas City, Texas; Glenna Armstrong Chance and partner Amy Trapolino of Atascocita, Texas; Demita Armstrong Winegardner and husband Eric of Tecumseh, Oklahoma; Kelly Armstrong Frye and husband Cory of Castle Rock, Colorado; Kristin Armstrong Kelly and husband Michael of Portland, Oregon; Mia Armstrong Russell and husband George of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; Spencer Hamerlind of Seminole, Texas; Jason Armstrong of Sacramento, California; Libby Wilhite and husband James of Odessa, Texas; Ross DeSoto and wife Sealey of Honolulu, Hawaii; Emily McDonald of New Orleans, Louisiana; Ethan McDonald of Marion, Indiana; and Liam Dickey of Marion, Indiana. Her great-grandchildren include: Christy Armstrong of Austin, Texas; Zach Chance of Las Vegas, Nevada; Sean Winegardner of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; Jill Winegardner of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; Brooke Winegardner of Tecumseh, Oklahoma; Mallory Russell of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; Riley Frye of Castle Rock, Colorado; Jakelynn Armstrong of Sacramento, California; and Caden and Luke Wilhite of Odessa, Texas. Her only great-great-grandchild is Jenny Marie Armstrong of Sacramento, California. Her two sisters are Lorrayne Beth (Peggy) Webb of Sugar Land, Texas; and Donna Marsh of Amarillo, Texas. She was preceded in death by her husband, John H. (Bill) Armstrong on January 22, 1973; her step son John R. Armstrong in March, 2001; and her son Jack W. Armstrong in August, 2001.

Visitation

Chapel of Hope
3321 N. Dal Paso
Hobbs, NM  88240
Thursday, March 2, 2017
4:00 pm - 6:00 pm

Service

Funeral Service

Taylor Memorial Baptist Church
1700 E. Yeso
Hobbs, NM  88240
Friday, March 3, 2017
10:00 am

Cemetery

Memory Gardens Cemetery
2909 N. Dal Paso
Hobbs, NM  88240