H.R. No. 1939
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, A full and generous life drew to a close with the
passing of Betty Ruth Ritterhoff Armstrong of Waco on April 3, 2011,
at the age of 92; and
WHEREAS, Born in Chicago on October 10, 1918, the former
Betty Ritterhoff was the daughter of Henry and Edith Ritterhoff;
she attended schools in New York and Chicago, where she met her
future husband, Edward LaVerne Armstrong; the couple married in
Wollaston, Massachusetts, on August 31, 1940, and later became the
parents of two children, James and Richard; they moved to
Weatherford in 1951; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Armstrong was employed for 30 years as
secretary of Grace First Presbyterian Church, where she became an
ordained elder; she served as president of Presbyterian Women and
was presented with a life membership; in addition, she led Circle
Bible Studies, taught Sunday school, and visited the homebound and
residents of nursing homes; and
WHEREAS, Deeply committed to her community, Mrs. Armstrong
was a member and officer of the PTA and chaired the committee that
developed a public library for children; later, she helped organize
the Friends of the Weatherford Library and served as membership
chair; she became one of the first volunteers for Meals on Wheels,
serving a regular weekly route for many years; and
WHEREAS, In the early 1980s, Mrs. Armstrong played a key role
in the establishment of Manna Storehouse, Inc., a nonprofit food
pantry and supply house; she was a strong advocate and active
volunteer for the organization, assisting clients and serving the
board as corresponding secretary; in her nineties she moved to Waco
and continued to volunteer in the community as her health
permitted; and
WHEREAS, The numerous accolades granted Mrs. Armstrong
include the 1998 Governor's Volunteer Award; she was recognized as
one of President George H. W. Bush's "Thousand Points of Light" and
was named Outstanding Woman of the Southwest by the Presbyterian
Women of Grace First Presbyterian; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Armstrong enjoyed traveling with her husband in
their retirement years and camping and fishing both in Texas and
around the country; she was gifted at needlework and even more
talented in crocheting afghans; and
WHEREAS, Betty Armstrong expressed her faith by helping
others with tireless dedication, and she made a lasting, positive
difference in her community; although she will be deeply missed by
those she leaves behind, they will forever remember her kindness
and devotion; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 82nd Texas
Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of Betty Ruth Ritterhoff
Armstrong and extend sincere sympathy to the members of her family:
to her sons, Jim Armstrong and his wife, Patricia, and Dick
Armstrong and his wife, Jessica; to her grandchildren, Katherine
Armstrong and her partner, Kiki, Jennifer Stetler, Stacy Armstrong,
Alana Armstrong, Christopher Armstrong and his wife, Beth, Brian
Armstrong and his wife, Tori, Matthew Armstrong, Jonathan
Armstrong, and Luke Armstrong; to her great-grandchildren,
Michael, Hunter, and William Armstrong and Abigayle and Joe
Stetler; and to her other relatives and friends; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for her family and that when the Texas House of
Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Betty Ruth
Ritterhoff Armstrong.
Anderson of McLennan
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 1939 was unanimously adopted by a
rising vote of the House on May 19, 2011.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House