Geraldine Armstrong

Around noon on March 2, 2020, Geraldine Webb Armstrong passed away at the age of 84 in Midland, Texas. Geraldine (Jerry) was born to Gerald and Frances Webb in December 1935 in San Angelo, Texas. She grew up all over west Texas from McCamey, TX to Portales, NM to Big Spring, TX and graduated high school in Monahans, TX. Upon graduation, she went to work for First State Bank of Monahans. She met and married the love of her life, Sherwood (S.D.) Armstrong, in September 1957. They moved from Monahans to Midland in 1960 where they raised two children, Shery Armstrong Layne and Lance Armstrong. Geraldine continued her banking career in Midland working in various capacities for Commercial Bank & Trust and its successor entity names and retired as a Vice President from Chase Bank in February 1994. She was named Outstanding Woman of the Year for the National Association of Business and Professional Women in 1983.

In addition to banking and family, Jerry had a passion for reading, tennis and dogs. She and S.D. owned Armstrong’s Racquet Shop where together they made draws for tennis tournaments, sold merchandise and strung thousands of tennis racquets. Their shop was the headquarters for Midland Tennis Club and the tournaments they sponsored. She loved to meet the public and was always ready with a quick smile and an offer to help. She was a strong and imminently practical woman. Jerry was an active and long-time member of St. Mark’s United Methodist Church where she attended Sunday School and served in various leadership roles. She was hard-working, professional, independent, stubborn, well read, hard-headed, passionate, ethical, practical, frugal, smart, kind and loving - all attributes that helped her live a long and fruitful life.

Jerry is preceded in death by her parents, her husband and son-in-law David Layne. Geraldine is survived by her daughter Shery, her two grandchildren Garrett and Erin Layne, her son Lance and daughter-in-law Kathy and her three grandchildren Sterling, Dezi and Daxton Armstrong, her sister Wanda Randel Hogg and her nephews and niece, Doug, Mike and Sheila Randel and several great nieces and nephews. She also leaves behind many friends, colleagues, former customers, tennis enthusiasts and her beloved dogs Sal and Papi. A special thank you to Angie Rowher her advocate and care giver, Melva Ballin (friend) and Andrea Mendez (neighbor) who were always there when she needed someone.

Geraldine’s funeral service will be on Tuesday, March 10th at 12:00 noon at the Ellis Funeral Home (801 Andrews Highway, Midland, TX) followed by a graveside service at Resthaven Memorial Park Cemetery.

A contribution to the SPCA would make her heart happy if you want to make a donation in lieu of flowers.