OKOLONA - Alma Mae Cooper Armstrong, 92, died Saturday, Sept. 29, 2012 at Shearer-Richardson Nursing Home. She was born Nov. 5, 1919, in Guin, Ala., to Thomas T. and Ila Mae Williams Cooper. She attended school in Wren, Okolona and Blue Mountain. She was a faithful member of Gatlin Street Church of Christ in Okolona. She loved her church and was active in the Ladies Class. Before she became unable to do so, she taught many children in Sunday School and Bible School. She loved gardening, canning, sewing, having yard sales and cooking "real food" for her family and friends. She loved her children, her grandchildren, greats and great-greats, always showing a continued interest in their lives. She lived in the home she had built for herself until after she was 90 and then moved to Shearer-Richardson Nursing Home. Being a very independent, single mother for most of her life, she provided all that was necessary for herself and her children. During her early years she worked in her home and in the cotton fields. Later, she worked as a seamstress at Delta Trouser for many years. Upon its closing, she also worked at Futorian Mfg. until her retirement. She was so many things to so many people, teaching lessons in life that will never be forgotten. She favored none above others, loving all with the same quality and zest for life. She was strong, courageous, and walked with God throughout her life.

Services will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday at Lee Memorial Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Tommy Lawson and Bro. Doyce Britt officiating. Burial will follow in East Chickasaw Memorial Gardens.

Survivors include four daughters, Madelle Ellis of Clinton, N.C., Nita Staten (Durwood) of Amory, Helen Maharrey (Curtis) of Okolona and Mary Kathryn (Kathy) Keene of Fulton; 24 grandchildren; 47 great-grandchildren; 14 great-great- grandchildren; two daughters-in-law, Janie Armstrong and Betty Armstrong Wilhite; many nieces, nephews and a host of friends; and special friends Arlene and Emily Hall and Dell Maharrey.

She was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers, Johnny Hood and Raymond Rufus Cooper; three sisters, Iola Gray, Edrel Chesser and Mary Wilda Holloway; one great-grandson, Robert David McRee; the father of her children whom she married in 1934, Millard Armstrong; one daughter, Louise Jacobs Keith; two sons, Thomas E. Armstrong and Raymond C. Armstrong; one son-in-law Billy Ellis; and one daughter-in-law Catherine Guerrio Armstrong.

Pallbearers will be her grandsons, Mike Ellis, Dur Staten, Curtis Alan Maharrey, Ray Armstrong, Donald Jacobs, Mitchell Earrey, T.J. Armstrong, Ben Armstrong and Jim Armstrong. Honorary pallbearers will be Jerry Hall, Ernie Walls, Ken McVay and her great-grandsons.

Visitation is 5 to 8 p.m. Monday.