1918
Joyce
2008
Joyce Cook Armstrong
September 28, 1918 — February 12, 2008
Joyce Cook Armstrong
Brownsville:
Joyce Evelyn Cook was born in Rogers, Texas on September 28, 1918, daughter of John Oscar Cook and Ethel Shipp Cook. She married her high school sweetheart T. H. “Buck” Armstrong on November 30, 1941. Shortly thereafter Buck enlisted in the navy, and he and Joyce traveled across the country form New York to California as he progressed through the many phases of his officer’s training program.
The war ended just as Buck graduated, and after he was discharged, they moved to Brownsville where Buck joined the INS. Joyce became an elementary teacher in the Brownsville school system, where she worked for thirty years as Buck worked his way to the top position in the Port of Brownsville, first in the Border Patrol, and then in U S Customs. She took time off in 1947 to bring her beloved daughter, Dinah, into the world, and returned to her chosen profession until her retirement in 1992, when she became a full time housewife, gardener, and animal lover.
She and Buck shared the next shared the next eight wonderful years together before his untimely death in 2000. Joyce held Buck in her heart and tried to do her best without the love of her life. She belonged to the First United Methodist Church and participated in various other charitable and social organizations, but she enjoyed most her time at home and in her yard.
As she grew older and less independent, she fiercely resisted all attempts to move her into any form of assisted living, choosing to stay with her cats and her memories in the home she loved so much. In December she suffered a stroke and was forced to abandon her Garden of Eden. The last six weeks of her life were spent trying to rally and return to her refuge, but time was against her and the damage from the stroke was more than she could overcome.
She received wonderful care from Bluebonnet Personal Care until her passing on Feb 12.
Joyce was preceded in death by her only sibling, sister, June Richardson.
She is survived by her daughter Dinah Hawkins and her husband Buddy, as well as various nieces, nephews, and cousins.
The family deeply appreciates the help of many friends who enabled Joyce to live as long as she did in her lifestyle that was so precious to her.
Special heartfelt thanks are due to neighbors Larry and Billie Herrera, who assisted and befriended her in so many ways on so many occasions, and to Ismael and Sylvia Valverde, Joyce’s adopted children, who made her desire to live at home a reality for seven years. Many thanks also to Olga Villarreal, who helped manage her finances and was a loyal friend.
Joyce Armstrong was the embodiment of the woman our pop culture has called the “steel magnolia”. She was a gracious southern lady in every way, soft and charming when the situation allowed it, but firm and resolute when events demanded it. For her diminutive size, she could be a formidable presence to those who unwisely or unjustly challenged her. Her wit was quick and sometimes sharp, but her heart was big, and the twinkle in her eye and that seductive little smile could disarm the most determined antagonist.
She has lived in spirit with her beloved Buck for 67 years. Today she joins him in their eternal resting place at Buena Vista Burial Park. A graveside service to celebrate her life will be held at 3 p.m., Rev. Wade Hood officiating.
For those desiring to do so, memorial contribution may be made to the Loaves and Fishes in Harlingen.
You are invited to sign the online guestbook at www.buck-ashcraft.com. Arrangements are under the direction of Buck Ashcraft Funeral Home.
Brownsville:
Joyce Evelyn Cook was born in Rogers, Texas on September 28, 1918, daughter of John Oscar Cook and Ethel Shipp Cook. She married her high school sweetheart T. H. “Buck” Armstrong on November 30, 1941. Shortly thereafter Buck enlisted in the navy, and he and Joyce traveled across the country form New York to California as he progressed through the many phases of his officer’s training program.
The war ended just as Buck graduated, and after he was discharged, they moved to Brownsville where Buck joined the INS. Joyce became an elementary teacher in the Brownsville school system, where she worked for thirty years as Buck worked his way to the top position in the Port of Brownsville, first in the Border Patrol, and then in U S Customs. She took time off in 1947 to bring her beloved daughter, Dinah, into the world, and returned to her chosen profession until her retirement in 1992, when she became a full time housewife, gardener, and animal lover.
She and Buck shared the next shared the next eight wonderful years together before his untimely death in 2000. Joyce held Buck in her heart and tried to do her best without the love of her life. She belonged to the First United Methodist Church and participated in various other charitable and social organizations, but she enjoyed most her time at home and in her yard.
As she grew older and less independent, she fiercely resisted all attempts to move her into any form of assisted living, choosing to stay with her cats and her memories in the home she loved so much. In December she suffered a stroke and was forced to abandon her Garden of Eden. The last six weeks of her life were spent trying to rally and return to her refuge, but time was against her and the damage from the stroke was more than she could overcome.
She received wonderful care from Bluebonnet Personal Care until her passing on Feb 12.
Joyce was preceded in death by her only sibling, sister, June Richardson.
She is survived by her daughter Dinah Hawkins and her husband Buddy, as well as various nieces, nephews, and cousins.
The family deeply appreciates the help of many friends who enabled Joyce to live as long as she did in her lifestyle that was so precious to her.
Special heartfelt thanks are due to neighbors Larry and Billie Herrera, who assisted and befriended her in so many ways on so many occasions, and to Ismael and Sylvia Valverde, Joyce’s adopted children, who made her desire to live at home a reality for seven years. Many thanks also to Olga Villarreal, who helped manage her finances and was a loyal friend.
Joyce Armstrong was the embodiment of the woman our pop culture has called the “steel magnolia”. She was a gracious southern lady in every way, soft and charming when the situation allowed it, but firm and resolute when events demanded it. For her diminutive size, she could be a formidable presence to those who unwisely or unjustly challenged her. Her wit was quick and sometimes sharp, but her heart was big, and the twinkle in her eye and that seductive little smile could disarm the most determined antagonist.
She has lived in spirit with her beloved Buck for 67 years. Today she joins him in their eternal resting place at Buena Vista Burial Park. A graveside service to celebrate her life will be held at 3 p.m., Rev. Wade Hood officiating.
For those desiring to do so, memorial contribution may be made to the Loaves and Fishes in Harlingen.
You are invited to sign the online guestbook at www.buck-ashcraft.com. Arrangements are under the direction of Buck Ashcraft Funeral Home.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Joyce Cook Armstrong, please visit our flower store.