Claribel Kern Armstrong's Obituary
Claribel Kern Armstrong died in Dallas on April 1, 2025. She was 100 years old.
Clara was the sixth of seven children born to John William Kern and Lora Ellen Hackler
in Fayetteville, IN. After graduation from Fayetteville High School she married a
classmate, AB Armstrong in July of 1943.
World War ll soon called AB into service. When he left home for training as an Air Cadet
in the Army Air Corp, Clara went with him. They were together until he deployed to
North Africa, and she returned home to work as an inspector in a bullet factory. His
service in Africa during the war marked the only time they were ever apart. They
remained devoted to each other for 49 years, until his death.
Clara and AB had two daughters, Jane and Peggy. Their large family also brought them
20 nieces and nephews. She held them close to her heart always, as well as their
children and grandchildren.
Clara could always be depended on to help when needed. She treasured the friends
she made and enjoyed the teamwork at the Women’s Auxiliary Board at Baylor-Scott
and White Hospital in Waxahachie. She was a member of the Nancy Horton Davis
Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, whose mission is promoting
historic preservation, education and patriotism. She was also active for many years
and held several key roles in both the First Christian Church in Irving and the First
Baptist Church in Waxahachie.
She loved to express herself creatively and was a lifelong learner. Interested in hair and
beauty since she was a child, she returned to school and became a licensed
Cosmetologist. She was trained in the Sassoon method, and developed a reputation
for cut and color. Whenever there were adult courses offered in the community, she
enrolled. She enjoyed making things and learned specialty craft skills like upholstery,
sewing and cake decorating. She put her training to good use, upholstering the living
room furniture, making beautiful party and prom dresses for her daughters and making
wedding cakes whenever needed.
Clara always loved to eat and feed others. She often planned unique meals, trying her
best to create experiences that were fun and memorable for her guests. Whether it was
an Italian dinner on a red checked tablecloth or an outdoor fish fry with hand cranked
ice cream and her paper-thin peanut brittle, she made everyone feel welcome. Her
house was always full of people who wanted to be around her.
She had a gift for listening and making others feel seen and accepted. She worked
hard to achieve harmony in her world. If there was a disagreement, she was the first to
forgive and forget. She never held a grudge. Her kindness set an example for everyone
to get along.
For many decades she was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star, most recently in
the Lancaster Chapter, and was a past officer of both the Waxahachie and the Irving
Chapters. Her husband was a Mason. She will be laid to rest next to him in the
Masonic area of the cemetery.
She is survived by her two daughters, Jane Armstrong and husband, Ken Harvey of
San Antonio and Peggy Armstrong Britton of Addison.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Alvin B Armstrong, her parents, John and
Lora Kern, two brothers, Ray Kern and Carl Kern, and four sisters, Edith Hay, Ina
Sutherlin, Mary Burch and Barbara Hall.
A funeral is planned for April 21, 2025, at 10:30 am at Wildwood Chapel, Restland
Funeral Home, 13005 Greenville Avenue, Dallas, TX 75243
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