Patricia Beatrice Armstrong

Patricia Beatrice Armstrong was born August 27, 1927, to Carl Atherton Crowder and Nellie Myrtle Crowder in Blackwell, Oklahoma. “Patty B’s” dad worked in the oil and gas industry as a heavy equipment operator, so her family moved around Oklahoma, from Blackwell to Blanchard where she spent many memorable years as a young girl. Eventually she and her family moved to the Oklahoma City area where she attended school at Capitol Hill and Foster High School. The man she eventually married also attended the same school, although they never spoke to one another in school.

Pat’s industriousness led her to go into the workforce as a switchboard operator for Southwestern Bell Telephone Co. and then to Tinker AFB as a clerk typist. While at Tinker, she met SSgt. William (Bill) Gary Martin (the Foster High boy), and after a long 2-week romance, they were married on May 4, 1946.

Another journey began for Pat, being the wife of a military man. They moved to Colorado Springs with their two children, Linda Darlene and William Gary Jr. Bill was stationed in Korea while Pat stayed in Colorado. She had another life changing experience when she was invited to a gospel meeting. After hearing the gospel, she was baptized into Christ.

Pat and Bill and their children eventually were stationed at Tinker AFB and Bill went into civil service there. They lived in Del City for a while and had two more children, Don and Michael. They moved their family out of the hustle and bustle to southeast Oklahoma City, which was the country then, and Pat spent the next 50 years there. During that time, she became supermom. She was a chef, taxi driver, doctor, ranch hand, gardener, educator, fisherman, grandmother, caregiver, armadillo exterminator, vet, evangelist, marksman, and an expert with the Jack Lalane glamour stretcher. She was involved in church activities such as the Joy Bus Program and Meals on Wheels.

After 46 years of marriage, Bill passed away. Pat later married Billy Joe Armstrong and moved to the Harrah/Newalla area. She attended the Newalla Church of Christ, whom she loved and always spoke highly of. Pat and Billy Joe were together 10 years before he passed away. Pat eventually had to move again due to a tragic fire and tornado, but she always found joy in life, always had a deep concern for others, and always had a love for God deep in her heart.

Pat is survived by her children: Linda Newville, Bill and Pam Martin, Don Martin, and Mike and Misty Martin; grandchildren: Jerri Linn (Noah), Terri Danel, Kerri Beth (Turner), Gary Bill (Lindsey), Robert Joel, Mirian (Brent), Dustin (April), Josh, Afton, and Branson (Taylor); great grandchildren: Blake, Lindsay Beth, Jerdon, Mckenzie, Christella, Robin, Skylor, Ethan, Parker, Olivia, Mary, Lucy, Kolton, Grace, Maverick, and a host of great great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and friends.

The family would like to thank all of Pat’s caregivers who showed her so much love and care in her final days, and give a special thank you to April Ryan, her caregiver and granddaughter-in-law.

Visitation will be Friday, February 7, 2025, 4:00 – 6:00 p.m., at the Newalla Church of Christ, 20811 Katy St., Newalla, Oklahoma 74857.

The funeral service will be on Saturday, February 8, 2025, 2:00 p.m., Newalla Church of Christ. Interment will follow at Arlington Memory Gardens, 3400 N. Midwest Blvd., Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73141.