Mary Louise Armstrong was truly one of a kind, irreplaceable, and our angel on Earth.
Mary was born in Tupelo, MS on March 16, 1953 to the late William and Ara Poster Armstrong
Sr. On the afternoon of Sunday, December 31, 2023, the Lord called Mary home to her eternal
rest. She is now united with her beloved parents.
Mary professed her love for Christ at Red Oak Grove Missionary Baptist Church in
Tupelo, Mississippi at an early age. As an active member of Red Oak
she served as Chair of the Kitchen Committee, assistant Sunday School teacher, Choir member
and Missionary Society. On the day God called Mary home, she blessed the choir one last time with her beautiful voice. She served as a Trustee for Spring Hill District Missionary Baptist
Association and sang with General Progressive Baptist State Convention Choir. Mary loved
music and enjoyed singing for the Lord.
Mary graduated from Tupelo High School in 1973 and became a full time employee at
the Tupelo Daily Journal. She was a dedicated employee and retired after 45 years of service.
Mary grew restless with retirement and began working for the Tupelo Public Schools
Transportation Department as a bus monitor where she remained until her passing. The children
on the bus loved and adored her and will certainly miss “Miss Mary”.
Mary lent her time to a few organizations. She was an active member of Tupelo/Lee
County National Council of Negro Women and Elisha Court #26A Heroines of Jericho. She
enjoyed traveling and attending church conventions.
Mary enjoyed the simpler things in life and focused on what really mattered. For Mary,
that meant enjoying life with family, friends, church, and her community. She had a special bond
with her sisters, brothers, nieces, nephews, and grand nieces and nephews. Mary loved planting in
her garden and would spend hours beautifying her home with unique flowers and plants. Sunday
and Holiday dinners with the family were always the best at Mary’s home. She loved cooking,
baking, and watching the happy faces of those who enjoyed her food.
She was preceded in death by her parents, William and Ara Poster Armstrong Sr. and one brother, Willie Shumpert.
Mary leaves her loyal family to cherish her precious memories: devoted siblings: Gladys
(Larry) Fisher; Florine Nails, William (Marilyn) Armstrong Jr; Gloria Holliday; John Nelson
(Marilyn) Armstrong, Sr. all of Tupelo, MS; loving nieces and nephews: Rebecca (Melvin)
Pierce, Melanie Armstrong, Ashley Armstrong, Shanida Smith, William Stacy (Nicky)
Armstrong Jr., John Nelson Armstrong Jr. Walter Bradley and Rodney Fisher. Mary did not have any biological
children, but she was favored by her grand-niece, Raven Armstrong, as a second mom. Mary
opened her up her home to an Exchange High School student from Finland, who still calls Mary
her American mom. Mary also leaves behind two aunts: Bobbie Dale Kohlheim and Lilly Mae
Kohlheim; one uncle Lloyd (Mattie) Poster, and a host of adoring grand nieces, grand nephews,
cousins and friends
Mary was the quintessential “Phenomenal” woman, and her legacy will live on through
her family and friends.
