Barbara Jo Armstrong
April 9, 1938 — October 14, 2022
BARBARA JO ARMSTRONG
Barbara Jo Armstrong, age 84, formerly of Lake Worth passed away Friday, October 14, 2022.
Barbara was born (and raised) April 9, 1938, in Marshalltown, Iowa to the late Marvin and Dorothy Knox. She has been a resident of Florida since 1957.
In addition to her parents, Barbara was preceded in death by her youngest son, Curtis.
She is survived by two sons, Alan Armstrong and Bryan Armstrong,
7 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren.
Alan’s family consists of:
Curtis Armstrong (grandson) and his 2 children,
Savannah Armstrong (great granddaughter) and
Henry Armstrong (great grandson).
Jennie Lea Armstrong Moore (granddaughter),
her husband, Jason Moore and their 2 children,
Jacob Moore (great grandson) and
Josie Moore (great granddaughter).
Ashley Jo Armstrong Lusby (granddaughter),
her husband, Kirk Lusby and their 2 children,
Annlea Lusby (great granddaughter) and
Jolea Lusby (great granddaughter).
Ludmila Messina (step granddaughter),
and her husband, Frank Messina.
Bryan’s family consists of:
Avery Armstrong McCleskey (granddaughter),
and her husband, Ben McCleskey and their 4 children,
Joelle “JoJo” McCleskey (great granddaughter),
Teddi McCleskey (great granddaughter),
Knox McCleskey (great grandson) and
Chesney McCleskey (great granddaughter).
Jessica Armstrong (granddaughter),
and her fiancé, Damien Trace Prosser and her 2 daughters,
Arley “AJ” (great granddaughter) and
Indy Rose (great granddaughter).
Bryson Armstrong (grandson).
A Committal Service will be held Monday, November 21, 2022 at 1:00 PM at the Boca Raton, 451 S.W. 4th Ave., Boca Raton.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America ( https://alzfdn.org/ ) in Barbara’s memory.
****Barbara wrote a synopsis of her life (to a certain point) for her granddaughter who was doing a thesis for College and it is below:
My name is Barbara Armstrong. I was born Saturday, April 9, 1938 at 6:21
PM in Marshalltown, Iowa. My parents were Marvin and Dorothy Knox and
I have 2 older brothers. I have fond memories of being the only girl and
spoiled of course.
During WWII, when I was 5 years old, I can remember when the air- raid siren
went off, we would have to turn off all the lights until another signal would
let us know that all was OK. During that time we could hear airplanes flying
overhead.
My first recollection of school was when I entered kindergarten. My mother
was in the hospital at the time and my Uncle took me to school for the first
day. As soon as we entered the class room, I started to cry and didn't want
to be left there. This year I consoled my 4 year old grandson when he called
me in tears that he didn't want to go to the first day of school in the
morning. I told him that Grama had cried the first day I went to school and
it was Ok to cry. I also assured him that he would enjoy school and meet
new friends and I would call him the next night to hear all about it.
Growing up in Marshalltown, Iowa was a happy time for me. I took piano
lessons and was a basketball cheerleader. My brothers were both involved in
football so that was an ongoing interest. I went to all their practices and
games and knew all the plays.
At age 13, I took my first real job (not counting babysitting) at Seberg's
Pharmacy. I waited on customers and made sodas and sundaes behind the
soda fountain. Mr. Seberg's daughter, Jean Seberg, became a movie star and
made several movies including St. Joan of Arc. We were friends in high
school and it was exciting to hear all about her movie days. Later on in life,
she committed suicide in Paris, France and all who knew her were greatly
saddened.
I fell in love in my senior year of high school and married shortly after
graduation. In 1957 we moved to Florida. We had 3 sons and I wished for
a daughter, but when my youngest son was only 2 years old, I got cervical
cancer and had a hysterectomy. My dream of having a daughter ended that
day, but I have been blessed with 4 beautiful granddaughters and 2 grandsons.
They are the joy of my life. Our boys grew up and played baseball, football,
racquet ball, tennis and bowling. I loved it all and worked in the concession stands
and washed uniforms and attended all the games. Their father was a baseball coach
and a football coach.
When the boys were 8, 12 and 13, their father and I divorced. That was definitely a downer. We stayed friends to this day and vowed to raise our boys the best way we could.
When the boys were 16, 20 and 21, I remarried. My new husband had 2 small
children 6 & 7 and yes, the 7 year old was a girl. I started all over raising
another family. Four years later, I had another bout with cancer. This time
it was breast cancer and required a mastectomy and was a real downer. My
family was very supportive and I worked hard at therapy but just 4 months
later, my youngest son was killed in a car accident at age 20. This is
something I wish no one ever would have to go through. To elaborate would
be too painful even after almost 20 years so I will reflect on one of the
happiest moments of my life. A year and a half after the death of my son,
my first grandchild was born and his mother and father named him after my
son, his father's brother.
My second marriage lasted only 6 years and ended in a divorce. My second
husband and I remain friends to this day.
My life is happiest when I am with my family. I spend as much time as possible with them. It was 2 years ago when I went to Atlanta to see my grandchildren that I had my last and hopefully my very last downer. After spending a few days in Atlanta, I went up to the mountains for a visit with my friends and fell down a flight of stairs and broke my neck. I spent a month in Atlanta after the accident, 6 months in a halo and then cervical spine surgery to wire the vertebrae together. I wasn’t able to drive for almost a year. I attribute my recovery through all the downers to a positive attitude. I won’t let anything get me down. My family has always been supportive and I am thankful for that. I was known as “The Trooper” in the rehabilitation hospital. Always think positive!!!
Some of my favorite hobbies are swimming and walking especially for
exercise. I love to take care of my plants inside and outside. I have 9
orchids and am hooked on them. Most all my plants outside have blooms as
I love flowers. I have started growing several different kinds of palm trees
from seeds and have quite a variety in different stages of growth.
I love to quilt, knit and crochet. I have made quilts for the grandchildren
and Christening dresses for the girls. I make baby blankets by the dozens.
I will say that my most favorite pastime is camping. I love to go camping in
the woods and cook over an open fire. I am an Aries which is the fire sign.
It is true for me because I love fires. I have 3 outdoor fireplaces at home,
one on each patio. I have a fire almost every week-end when the weather is
cool.
I also love boating and fishing but don’t get to do that much anymore. Actually I love most activities out of doors. I hate being in the house.
Barbara Jo Armstrong, age 84, formerly of Lake Worth passed away Friday, October 14, 2022.
Barbara was born (and raised) April 9, 1938, in Marshalltown, Iowa to the late Marvin and Dorothy Knox. She has been a resident of Florida since 1957.
In addition to her parents, Barbara was preceded in death by her youngest son, Curtis.
She is survived by two sons, Alan Armstrong and Bryan Armstrong,
7 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren.
Alan’s family consists of:
Curtis Armstrong (grandson) and his 2 children,
Savannah Armstrong (great granddaughter) and
Henry Armstrong (great grandson).
Jennie Lea Armstrong Moore (granddaughter),
her husband, Jason Moore and their 2 children,
Jacob Moore (great grandson) and
Josie Moore (great granddaughter).
Ashley Jo Armstrong Lusby (granddaughter),
her husband, Kirk Lusby and their 2 children,
Annlea Lusby (great granddaughter) and
Jolea Lusby (great granddaughter).
Ludmila Messina (step granddaughter),
and her husband, Frank Messina.
Bryan’s family consists of:
Avery Armstrong McCleskey (granddaughter),
and her husband, Ben McCleskey and their 4 children,
Joelle “JoJo” McCleskey (great granddaughter),
Teddi McCleskey (great granddaughter),
Knox McCleskey (great grandson) and
Chesney McCleskey (great granddaughter).
Jessica Armstrong (granddaughter),
and her fiancé, Damien Trace Prosser and her 2 daughters,
Arley “AJ” (great granddaughter) and
Indy Rose (great granddaughter).
Bryson Armstrong (grandson).
A Committal Service will be held Monday, November 21, 2022 at 1:00 PM at the Boca Raton, 451 S.W. 4th Ave., Boca Raton.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America ( https://alzfdn.org/ ) in Barbara’s memory.
****Barbara wrote a synopsis of her life (to a certain point) for her granddaughter who was doing a thesis for College and it is below:
My name is Barbara Armstrong. I was born Saturday, April 9, 1938 at 6:21
PM in Marshalltown, Iowa. My parents were Marvin and Dorothy Knox and
I have 2 older brothers. I have fond memories of being the only girl and
spoiled of course.
During WWII, when I was 5 years old, I can remember when the air- raid siren
went off, we would have to turn off all the lights until another signal would
let us know that all was OK. During that time we could hear airplanes flying
overhead.
My first recollection of school was when I entered kindergarten. My mother
was in the hospital at the time and my Uncle took me to school for the first
day. As soon as we entered the class room, I started to cry and didn't want
to be left there. This year I consoled my 4 year old grandson when he called
me in tears that he didn't want to go to the first day of school in the
morning. I told him that Grama had cried the first day I went to school and
it was Ok to cry. I also assured him that he would enjoy school and meet
new friends and I would call him the next night to hear all about it.
Growing up in Marshalltown, Iowa was a happy time for me. I took piano
lessons and was a basketball cheerleader. My brothers were both involved in
football so that was an ongoing interest. I went to all their practices and
games and knew all the plays.
At age 13, I took my first real job (not counting babysitting) at Seberg's
Pharmacy. I waited on customers and made sodas and sundaes behind the
soda fountain. Mr. Seberg's daughter, Jean Seberg, became a movie star and
made several movies including St. Joan of Arc. We were friends in high
school and it was exciting to hear all about her movie days. Later on in life,
she committed suicide in Paris, France and all who knew her were greatly
saddened.
I fell in love in my senior year of high school and married shortly after
graduation. In 1957 we moved to Florida. We had 3 sons and I wished for
a daughter, but when my youngest son was only 2 years old, I got cervical
cancer and had a hysterectomy. My dream of having a daughter ended that
day, but I have been blessed with 4 beautiful granddaughters and 2 grandsons.
They are the joy of my life. Our boys grew up and played baseball, football,
racquet ball, tennis and bowling. I loved it all and worked in the concession stands
and washed uniforms and attended all the games. Their father was a baseball coach
and a football coach.
When the boys were 8, 12 and 13, their father and I divorced. That was definitely a downer. We stayed friends to this day and vowed to raise our boys the best way we could.
When the boys were 16, 20 and 21, I remarried. My new husband had 2 small
children 6 & 7 and yes, the 7 year old was a girl. I started all over raising
another family. Four years later, I had another bout with cancer. This time
it was breast cancer and required a mastectomy and was a real downer. My
family was very supportive and I worked hard at therapy but just 4 months
later, my youngest son was killed in a car accident at age 20. This is
something I wish no one ever would have to go through. To elaborate would
be too painful even after almost 20 years so I will reflect on one of the
happiest moments of my life. A year and a half after the death of my son,
my first grandchild was born and his mother and father named him after my
son, his father's brother.
My second marriage lasted only 6 years and ended in a divorce. My second
husband and I remain friends to this day.
My life is happiest when I am with my family. I spend as much time as possible with them. It was 2 years ago when I went to Atlanta to see my grandchildren that I had my last and hopefully my very last downer. After spending a few days in Atlanta, I went up to the mountains for a visit with my friends and fell down a flight of stairs and broke my neck. I spent a month in Atlanta after the accident, 6 months in a halo and then cervical spine surgery to wire the vertebrae together. I wasn’t able to drive for almost a year. I attribute my recovery through all the downers to a positive attitude. I won’t let anything get me down. My family has always been supportive and I am thankful for that. I was known as “The Trooper” in the rehabilitation hospital. Always think positive!!!
Some of my favorite hobbies are swimming and walking especially for
exercise. I love to take care of my plants inside and outside. I have 9
orchids and am hooked on them. Most all my plants outside have blooms as
I love flowers. I have started growing several different kinds of palm trees
from seeds and have quite a variety in different stages of growth.
I love to quilt, knit and crochet. I have made quilts for the grandchildren
and Christening dresses for the girls. I make baby blankets by the dozens.
I will say that my most favorite pastime is camping. I love to go camping in
the woods and cook over an open fire. I am an Aries which is the fire sign.
It is true for me because I love fires. I have 3 outdoor fireplaces at home,
one on each patio. I have a fire almost every week-end when the weather is
cool.
I also love boating and fishing but don’t get to do that much anymore. Actually I love most activities out of doors. I hate being in the house.
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