Obituary of Carla “Diane” Armstrong

Carla “Diane” Armstrong age 75, she stepped into Glory on Tuesday, October 31, 2023, in Ardmore, Okla. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 AM, Friday, November 3, 2023, in The Chapel at Griffin ~ Hillcrest with Pastor Terry Tolbert officiating. Interment to follow next to her husband in Hillcrest Memorial Park, Ardmore. Diane was born on November 6, 1947, in Ardmore, Oklahoma, to Clarence and Mattie Mae (Huffman) Patrick. In the summer of 1964, Diana met a handsome airman in Laredo, Texas. She married Richard Harold Armstrong on January 26, 1965, in Laredo, and resided there until September of 1966 upon Richard’s honorable discharge. The couple and their baby daughter, Robin Ann, moved to Waynesboro, Virginia. While in Waynesboro, they welcomed the birth of their second daughter, Angela Carol. In the spring of 1968, the family moved to Ardmore, Okla. In Ardmore, Richard obtained employment with the U.S. Postal Service, where he worked for the next 33 years. The couple completed their family with the birth of their son, Scott Richard, in 1973. Between the three children’s activities, the family stayed very busy. They still found time for trips, cookouts, picnics, and swim time at the lake. Sundays were dedicated to a time of worship at Trinity Baptist Church of Ardmore, where all five were members. Richard and Diane were both saved and baptized at a young age and all three of their children followed by accepting Jesus at ages 8 or 9. Later, the family rejoiced when all three of their grandchildren accepted Jesus as their Savior. Diane worked in Medical Transcription at both Ardmore Memorial Hospital (now Mercy) and the Medical Arts Clinics of Ardmore. Always desiring to be a schoolteacher, Diane began taking classes at the Higher Ed Center of Ardmore. She later earned a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Southeastern Oklahoma State University, SOSU, in Durant, Okla. She continued her education at ECU in Ada, Okla., where she obtained her master’s degree and certification as a Library Media Specialist. Her dream of teaching was realized during time spent teaching in Ardmore City Schools, Wilson Public Schools, and Dickson Public Schools, where she spent her final 13 years, retiring in 2010. She and Richard enjoyed the next two years together before the Lord call him home on May 2, 2012. She was preceded in death by her by her parents, her beloved husband of over 47 years, Richard, grandson, Austin “Colby” Kesler, three infant sisters, and a baby brother. Also waiting for her in Heaven is a nephew, Patrick Slawson, great-nephew, Simon Beauford, and brothers-in-law, John Lee Gentry and Charles Powell. Left to honor her memory are her children: two daughters, Robin Ann Armstrong Kesler and husband Mike, and Angela Carol Armstrong, and son, Scott Richard Armstrong. Grandchildren: Connor Williams Kesler, and Madison Layne Armstrong-Coker and husband, Aaron, and great-grandchildren: Charles Oliver “Charlie” Coker, Ariel Kesler, and Jazzlyn Walker. Brother, Bobby M. Wallace and wife, Melba, and sisters: Dorothy Powell, Sonya Slawson, and Michelle Patrick, along with a host of family and friends. Serving as casket bearers will be Connor Kesler, Mike Kesler, Michael Rose, Casey Gill, Kevin Gill, and Larry Petak. Honorary bearers will be Diane’s beloved cousins, friends, and former students. The family wishes to extend their heartfelt thanks to Cross Timbers Hospice, Mercy Hospital of Ardmore, and Ardmore Family Medicine. The wonderful care they took of Diane helped make her last days easier to bear. The generosity of those who sent food, flowers, cards, and prayers, greatly blessed the family.