Myrna Arlene Armstrong

Myrna Arlene Armstrong, 76, of Normangee, TX unexpectedly went to the arms of her God and Savior on May17, 2023.

Myrna was born on July 9, 1946 in Watseka, IL to Lowell James Spitler and Nora Jean Spitler of Cissna Park, IL. She grew up in Cissna until she left for college at Illinois State University in Normal, IL.

After graduation, she settled in Joliet, IL and began a career she absolutely loved- teaching preschool-aged Special Education students at Eisenhower School where she taught for about 10 years. She wholeheartedly loved both her students and their parents, and it seemed more often than not, the relationships turned into friendships…many of which lasted the rest of her life.

Myrna met and married the love of her life, Billy Ray Armstrong, in August 1970, and eventually they moved to Madisonville, TX where she continued to teach the Special Ed students she loved so dearly.

Myrna and Bill eventually purchased and settled on ranch land in Normangee, TX. They began to build their dream home together with their own hands, and life was good until Bill became ill and sadly died in May 1980. Myrna remained in the home they had built together for the rest of her life, although she did take a couple detours.

One of those life detours was leaving TX to do administrative work with the oil Pipelines. The work took her to a variety of places, and she thoroughly enjoyed the travel and adventure involved. She continued that work for about 2 years until she willingly and sacrificially moved back to Cissna Park, IL to care for her ailing father. While there, she took another teaching position, this time teaching Behaviorally Disabled students not far from Cissna.

After her father passed, Myrna returned to the home and ranch land she loved so much in TX. She began working as a secretary for the First Methodist Church in Normangee where she had been an active member since first moving to the area. She loved her church and her church family dearly, and was always ready to lend a helping hand when and where she could. She only recently retired in April 2023.

Myrna was a person who was “all-in” and utterly committed to all her animals, most recently her dogs- each and every one she ever had over her lifetime. She loved them and they loved her. All 3 of her current dogs were found surrounding her at the time of her passing.

But her animals were not her only love. Myrna absolutely loved her family and it showed in the great joy she took in sewing beautiful hand-made gifts for them. Few things made her happier than when she could visit family, and when they would visit her…or live with her. She always had an open door.

Yet Myrna never limited her open door to her family. She welcomed anyone and everyone regardless who they were, generously helping anyone in need, not only an open door, but also with an open heart. The truth is, she completely embraced life and everyone in it with a full and open heart. Her smile and ready laughter were infectious, and she will be sorely missed.

Myrna is survived by her younger brothers, Dennis (Tammie) Spitler, and Alan (Debbie) Spitler; nieces Alissa Spitler and Nicole Spitler; nephews Adam Spitler and Caleb (Shelly) Spitler; great-nieces and nephews Cassie, Ella, Uriah, Nora, AJ, Fife, Luca, Remi, and Brinna; and many other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Billy Armstrong; her parents, Lowell and Nora Spitler; and infant twin, Duane Spitler.

The family will receive relatives and friends on Wednesday 1:00pm-3:00pm at First Methodist Church, Normangee, TX.

The funeral will then be held at 3:00pm, followed by interment at Oxford Cemetery.

The Cozart Funeral Home and Crematory in Normangee is handling the arrangements.