Sammie Joe "Jody" Armstrong

Sammie Joe "Jody" Berry Armstrong, 79, of San Angelo, passed away Friday, June 24, 2016 at Shannon Hospital after a lengthy illness. Jody was born on June 21, 1937 in Shawnee, Oklahoma to Wm. G. and Sammie Joe Hays Berry. Jody graduated from San Angelo High School in 1955. While in high school, Jody was a member of the Line-Up Salesman Team, which later became the Tex-Anns. She also was a member of Pheta Tri-Hi-Y. She participated in the Powder Puff Football game and was proud of her accomplishment of having served as a guard for the team. Jody married her high school sweetheart, Wm. H. (Bill) Armstrong II, on June 15, 1955 in San Angelo, and they recently celebrated their 61st wedding anniversary. She attended the University of Texas at Austin and Angelo State University, where she studied fine arts. She was an accomplished watercolor artist and excelled in many other creative talents, including beautiful needlepoint. She taught children’s art classes in her home and several of her students won awards at the San Angelo Stock Show and Rodeo. She also enjoyed volunteering at the Children’s Art Museum. Jody was a member of the First United Methodist Church in San Angelo. She lived her life as an example of God’s grace and strength to all who knew her. She never hesitated to share her gifts with others, including a wonderfully cooked meal, a comforting smile, a listening ear and an encouraging word. Many lives were touched and made better by knowing Jody. Jody shared her talents in the community, including donating some of her paintings to the Stribling Art Show and other community fundraisers. She was a Sustaining member of the Jr. League and enjoyed being involved in the League Follies and the puppet shows in the elementary schools. Jody had many special friends she loved and appreciated, including her Monday and Wednesday lunch groups. She was preceded in death by her parents; grandson, Travis Scott Armstrong; sister, Kathryn Berry Baker; infant brother, Charles Berry; and many other beloved family members. Jody is survived by her husband, Wm. H. (Bill) Armstrong II of San Angelo; one son, Wm. H. (Bill) Armstrong III and wife, Susan, of San Angelo; two daughters, Penny Armstrong Moore and husband, Freddy, of San Angelo and Carrie Armstrong Sonderer and husband, Cy, of Granbury; six grandchildren, Sarah Moore Brannon and husband, Barrett, of Ft. Worth, Frank Blair Armstrong of San Angelo, Seth Davis Moore and wife, Alyssa, of Midland, Cy Saier Sonderer, Jr. of Granbury, Sam Hays Sonderer of Granbury and Jody Elizabeth Sonderer of Granbury; two great grandchildren, William Greyson Moore of Midland and Hattie-Claire Joy Brannon of Ft. Worth; one brother, Wm. G. Berry, Jr. and wife, Suzanne, of Ft. Worth; one sister, Nancy Berry Walker and husband, Roger, of Riverside, California; brother-in-law, E. Pat Baker, of San Angelo; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and many other family members and friends who love her and will miss her. The family would like to thank Irma Vargas, Valerie Ramirez, Samantha Lopez, Brooke Boatright and the other caregivers at Visiting Angels who showed so much love and compassion to Jody. In addition, the family would like to thank the incredible doctors, nurses and staff at Shannon West Texas Memorial Hospital who took such wonderful care of Jody. Visitation will be Sunday, June 26th, from 5:00-7:00 p.m. at Harper Funeral Home. Graveside service will be held on Monday, June 27th, 10:00 a.m., at Fairmount Cemetery under the direction of Harper Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to a charity of choice. Family and friends can give online condolences for Jody at www.harper-funeralhome.com