Martha Louise Wheeler Armstrong's Obituary
Martha Louise Wheeler Armstrong
Martha Louise Wheeler Armstrong, 87, passed away Sunday, October 26, 2014 in Longview Regional Medical Center following a lengthy illness. Martha was born October 13, 1927 in Longview, Texas, the only child of Mr. and Mrs. Frank S. Wheeler. She was a graduate of Longview High School, Class of 1945. After graduation, she worked as a staff journalist for the Longview News Journal. She also worked as a secretary for the County Extension Office, and later for Joseph Schlitz Brewery. She married Ray Thomas Armstrong August 21, 1946, and they moved to Big Springs, Nebraska, where they were blessed with 3 daughters. They lived there for 9 years, before they moved back to Longview.
One of the greatest sources of pride and joy was the children’s store, The Carriage Crowd, that she opened with her daughter in 1978. The store originally opened on Reel Road, and moved to Longview Mall when it opened in 1980. The most unique aspect of The Carriage Crowd was that it was truly a family run business from beginning to end, with Martha and her daughters running the business and all 7 grandkids modeling the clothes. Martha always believed that your customers are family and that is how she treated them; with respect, kindness and generosity, and that is what made the store so special and memorable.
Martha was a member of the Longview Regional Medical Center Auxiliary and also served as a board member of the Longview Chamber of Commerce and Longview Mall Merchants Association. A member of Mobberly Baptist Church, she demonstrated her love for her Lord throughout her life. She was a very giving, thoughtful, caring individual which could be seen in her preparation of countless meals for her family, neighbors, friends and employees. She will be dearly missed by all.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Ray Thomas “Tom” Armstrong; her daughter, Patricia Armstrong Karrh; and her infant great grandson, Gage Aaron Metzler.
Those left to cherish her memory include her daughters, Rhonda Richards and husband, David and Linda DeArmon and husband Larry all of Longview; and son-in-law, Dr. Larry R. Karrh of Boerne, TX.; seven grandchildren and their spouses, Kristen Karrh Ascencao and Daniel; Kevin Karrh and Jill; Kara Karrh Powell and Marc; Rebekah Richards; Paul Richards and Rachel; Lisa DeArmon Metzler and Robert; and Lindsay DeArmon Harkey and Chad. Sixteen great grandchildren, Samuel, Matthew and Anna Kate Metzler; Jordan and Landon Karrh; Justin and Abigail Richards; Kasen, Kallie and Kinsley Powell; Caroline and Addison Harkey; and Danielle, Sophia, Reina and Jauquin Ascencao; and a host of nieces and nephews that she loved like her own.
Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Thursday, October 30, 2014 in the Chapel of Rader Funeral Home of Longview, with the Reverends Scott Schulik and Greg Martin officiating. Interment will follow in Lakeview Memorial Gardens.
Visitation will be held from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.
Memorial donations may be made to the Multiple Sclerosis Society, Lone Star, P.O. Box 816148, Dallas, TX 75381-9148, www.nationalmssociety.org or to The Texas Special Olympics, 7715 Chevy Chase Dr., Suite 120, Austin, TX 78752, www.sotx.org.
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