Marjorie Armstrong's Obituary
Marjorie Elizabeth Armstrong, 87, passed away on October 31, 2013. She was born May 27, 1926, to John Elam and Grace Trusty in Port Gibson, MS. Soon after Marjorie’s birth the family moved to Greenwood, MS. Marjorie began violin lessons at the age of 5 with Marguerite Juheim and because she revealed her strong musical talent, she continued lessons with her until graduation from Greenwood High School in 1943. She performed often in Service Club meetings, church, etc. Marjorie went to Mississippi State College for women, graduating with Honors in 1947 with a Bachelor of Music Degree. The summer before graduating, Marjorie, played in the New Orleans Summer Pops orchestra. She continued her graduate study during the summer at Eastern School of Music in 1949, the University of Southern California in 1950, and the University of Texas 1951. Before graduating from MSCW, Marjorie accepted an offer to teach for the 1947-1948 school year at Milsaps College in Jackson, MS. In 1949, she accepted a teaching position at Del Mar College, in Corpus Christi, TX, where she taught for 4 ½ years. While teaching at Del Mar, she met her future husband, Richard (Rick) G. Armstrong, LTJG, USN, stationed at the naval base in Corpus Christi. They were married in beautiful wedding ceremony August 21, 1951, in Greenwood, MS. The Lord paved the way for this couple. Marjorie had her friends from her former job but chose to teach at home instead of working at school. She rejoined the Corpus Christi Symphony in her old position of the First Violins, played in various Chamber groups, and her piano students filled her days with notable success. Mrs. Armstrong was a resident of Memphis from 1989-2009 and spent her remaining years in Bossier City, LA from 2009 to 2013. She was preceded in death by her husband Richard G. Armstrong, Sr. She is survived by her daughter: Pamela Smith Claiborne, a son: Richard G. Armstrong, Jr., four grandchildren; Justin Price, Grace Price, Rheanna Bowers, and Caity Armstrong Pevey, four great-grandchildren: Riley Bowers, Madyson Pevey, Faelyn Pevey and Taeya Pevey, and two sisters: Peggy Arnold Balmer and Jean Tierce. The service was held on Sunday, November 3, 2013 at Memorial Park Funeral Home. Interment was in Memorial Park Cemetery. Memorial Park Funeral Home, “Behind the stone wall”, 901-767-8930. –
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