Brenda Lea (Abney) Armke

After a prolonged battle that followed a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease/dementia, Brenda Lea Abney Armke, surrounded by people who adored her, passed away mid-day Saturday, September 13, 2025 at her home in New Braunfels.

Brenda and her husband, Kenneth (Ken) Armke, had just celebrated their 64th wedding anniversary a month earlier.

Brenda recently celebrated her 86th birthday. She was born July 30, 1939, in Edinburg, Texas, and lived there as a member of the prominent Abney family through her high school years. She later was a DAR (Daughters of the American Revolution) member.

After two years of college at Texas A&l College in Kingsville, Brenda transferred in 1959 to Southwest Texas State College (now Texas State University) in San Marcos. Her goal was to become a teacher.

While registering for a journalism class at SWTSC in September 1959, she met Ken. They talked, soon linked, and turned the meeting into a romance that continued until they graduated together in June 1961.

They married on August 5, 1961, in Edinburg. Ken had begun work as a staff member of the Beaumont Journal. Brenda secured an elementary teaching position in nearby Vidor, and they moved into a house there. In August 1962 Ken was sent to Naval Officer Candidate School in Newport, RI, for four months. Their first son, Ken II, was born in September 1962 while Ken was at NOCS and Brenda was staying with her parents in Edinburg.

In January 1963 they moved to California (Oxnard/Port Hueneme). Ken was stationed on the admiral’s staff at Point Mugu. Brenda taught at nearby elementary schools, earning a signed plaudit letter from the mayor of Port Hueneme. With active duty over in July 1966, they decided to move back to Texas and to Ken’s hometown of New Braunfels. Via phone conference, Brenda secured a teaching position within the NBISD. She taught for a short while at Lamar Elementary, a short while at Carl Schurz Elementary, then was sent to Seele Elementary where she taught until 2001, more than 30 years later.

During her 39-year career and afterwards, she and Ken traveled to nearly every state in the U.S. plus countries such as Mexico, Canada, Germany and Switzerland.

She has been greatly admired by almost everyone who has known her. That includes students, parents, neighbors and the nurses, aides and caregivers who have visited with her in recent years. She was famous for her magic smile.

Brenda was preceded in death by a son, Ken Armke II; by her parents, Fred and Thelma Abney; and her brother, John Abney.

She is survived by her husband, Ken; son, Keegan Armke; and sisters-in-law JoAnn Armke and Karen Cline Cureton (Russell).

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, September 23. 2025 from 5-7 PM. The Graveside Service will be Wednesday, September 24, 2025 at 11 AM at Comal Cemetery.