Adams County History & Genealogy

Flo Armstrong

Flo [Elizabeth (Caraway)] Armstrong passed away on September 2, 2002, at Christ Hospital in Cincinnati, from complications following heart surgery on August 5, 2002. Mrs. Armstrong was a native and longtime resident of Blue Creek in Adams County. She was born on November 16, 1914, to John and Hallie Jane (Lewis) Caraway at the Caraway home on Wintersteen Road. She was blessed with loving parents who shaped her character through daily farm chores that helped develop the strong work ethic and stewardship that served her well throughout her life. Not all was work, as they also provided piano lessons from Dorothy Knost in Portsmouth, and instilled her with an independent spirit and a gift of dry humor. Instead of the cars of today's youth, Flo could choose from among the horses and mules that her Dad often traded to carry her to and fro. She was especially fortunate to not only be able to choose from among the stock, but also to have her very own pony, who though blind, ably transported her throughout the neighboring areas. After graduation from Jefferson High School in 1933, she enrolled at Wilminton College with her friend and high school claassmate, Hazel (Hafer) Roush. While at Wilmington, she made friends with the girls in her dorm and this second-floor group continued to stay in touch with annual summer gatherings over the years as they married, raised their families, pursued careers and went through life' journey. She graduated from Wilmington College with a degree in education with teaching certificates in elemntary and secondary education. Her early teaching career was in the one-room schools in Adams and Scioto Counties and at Friendship Elemetary. Beginning in the mid-1950s, she taught home economics, junior high and elementary classes at Jefferson High School and Elementary. She retired in 1975 with twenty-five years of teaching service.

On Jun 1, 1937, she was united in marriage to Ralph Donovan Armstrong, who preceded her in death on September 23, 1995. Don and Flo had a strong marriage partnership and celebrated fifty-eight years together. To this union, six children were born and survive. They are Sandra F. Cooper, Piketon; Connie Dettmer, Cincinnati; Judy Ann Grooms, Blue Creek; Joseph Darrel Armstrong, West Union; Linda Jane Stepp, Peebles, and Patricia Jean Oliver, Kitts Hill. Thirteen grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren also survive. In additon to her parents and husband, her stepmother, Myrtle Hazelbakar Daulton, her brother, John Donald Caraway, and one grandchild preceded her in death. Additional survivors include four sisters-in-law, Louise Armstrong, Virginia Coblentz, Dorothy Arey, and Lucille Caraway; one stepsister, Kay Daulton; six nieces and four nephews, as well as several cousins.

Mrs. Armstrong was a devoted wife and mother and was active and independent thoughtout her life. The saying, "we make a living by what we get; we make a life by what we give," illustrates her character. She believed in an orderly and disciplined life and in quietly doing for others in an unassuming manner. She instilled a love of learning and an appreciation for music in children and in those around her.

She served as pianist at Moore's Chapel United Methodist Church until her recent illness.

During her lifetime she was active in supporting the Jefferson PTO, Moore's Chael Cemetery Association, Moore's Chapel United Methoist Church, Blue Creek Grange, Blue Creek Livestock 4-H Club, and the Adams County Democrat Club. She made regular trips to transport her children and nieces to piano lessons in Portsmouth with Mrs. Knost and countless trips to see her children and grandchildren's sport activities and other performances.

During her recent illness and thoughout her life, she maintained personal contact and regular corresponcence with her college roomnate, Carrie Stephenson of Washington Court House, Ohio. Carrie described Flo as "a kind and caring person, loves to laugh and have a good time with family and friends." Carrie also shared this comforting prayer during her illness.

May the presence of God surround you, May the power of God protect you, May the love of God watch over you, May the spirit of God be with you and guide you, May the peace of God dwell in your heart.

We will miss her guidance and direction. Her last written message to her family was one of encouragement and a gentle admonishment as she said, "Love you all! Love each other!"

SOURCE: The People's Defender, West Union OH; Sep 2002