Armstrong

With love and gratitude for everyone around her, Jacquelyn “Jackie” Kelley Armstrong, of Hart and Lubbock, Texas, lived a long and full life. She passed away peacefully just a few days after her 93rd birthday on Aug. 30, 2021. Jackie was born in Texarkana, Texas on Aug. 27, 1928, the third child of four born to Ferris E. and Muriel Power Kelley. A wonderful, loving mother, beloved grandmother and devoted wife to her late husband Paul W. Armstrong Jr., Jackie leaves a legacy of kindness, good humor and unconditional love for her family.

In 1949, Jackie married Paul after a whirlwind romance and a surprise proposal as they drove together between Texas A&M (College Station) where Paul was in college and Texas State College for Women (now TWU in Denton) where Jackie attended. They started their lives together in Baileyboro, then moved to their farm outside of Hart in 1951 where they spent the next 50-plus years, raising their four children in a loving, Christian home. Their 58-year marriage was filled with love, respect and fun, an example for us all.

Jackie received her degree in Library Science from Texas State College for Women and brought her love of books to the Amarillo Public Library first, then after her children were in school, to students at Olton and Dimmitt high schools as their librarian. She traveled the world through the books she read, and she read many, at times more than one a week.

When Jackie wasn’t reading, you could find her playing bridge or working crossword puzzles. After years of hard work and success in competitive bridge tournaments, she became a Life Master. And Jackie never met a crossword puzzle she wouldn’t tackle. If we ever needed an 8-letter word for “determined,” we knew who to call.

Jackie loved to laugh and had a witty sense of humor. When she laughed with her sister Iva, and they laughed often, or with her daughter Carol, the cares of the world melted away for them and for all of us. We will miss laughing with her.

Life was not always easy. Jackie lost all of her siblings too young – F. E. Kelley Jr., Clinton Kelley and Iva Henry - and was preceded in death by both her parents. In 2008, she lost her cherished husband Paul, and in 2018, her son David who fought to live against great odds. But no matter the depth of her losses, Jackie accepted reality and moved forward with a smile on her face, again setting an example for us all.

Jackie is survived by her beloved children Brenda Jeppson (Ralph), Mike Armstrong (Jerry Elaine Hathaway), Carol Satterwhite (Gordon); daughter-in-law Marci Armstrong; and seven grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. Jackie loved and accepted each one of us as we were, and we all loved her dearly.

A private graveside celebration of Jackie’s life was held. Memorial contributions may be made to Hart United Methodist Church or a charity of your choice.