Ashtabula, Ohio - Reta Jo Armstrong, 87, passed away at home on Friday, March 14, 2025 surrounded by her family.

She was born on May 13, 1937 in Gilmer County, West Virginia, the daughter of Harley Calvin and Edna Orlean (Heckert) Vannoy. After graduating high school, she attended Glenville State University where she was a cheerleader, and was even voted Campus Covergirl and Cheerleader of the Year. At Glenville, she met Ed who was a member of the football team and they immediately connected. They were married May 30, 1956 while she was still in school and she went on to earn her Bachelor's Degree in Education.

Ed and Reta came to Ashtabula and began their careers in education. Reta was the first Kindergarten teacher ever at Thomas Jefferson elementary school when it opened and taught K-3 there for many years before her retirement from the AACS in 1995. She loved teaching and all the kids she taught over the years so much she even returned to substitute teach for 10 years after her retirement! She also was an active Mary Kay Consultant with many loyal customers.

Reta loved dancing and music, especially the 50's and Motown. Always young at heart, she loved travelling with her husband and their group of close friends. The holidays were a special time for her and no one could decorate a home like Reta, especially at Christmas. She loved to shop and always was dressed to perfection in a sharp outfit. Her loved language was giving gifts and she always had a gift or candy treat for the little kids in the family.

Reta was active with her husband at the Elks and with the Harbor Athletic Boosters for many years and helped extensively with the annual Ed Armstrong Golf Outing to raise money for scholarships. She was also a member of Beta Sigma Phi Sorority, who at one time voted her Mom of the Year.

But above all else, family was most important to her. She was Ed's greatest cheerleader. She attended all her family members' activities and events and loved her grandchildren and great-grandchildren (who called her Gigi) fiercely.

Her survivors include her husband of 69 years, Ed Armstrong; four children, Laura (Larry) Haines, Peggy Armstrong (Tony Ifft), Michael Armstrong, and Cheryl (Jerry) Brady; five grandchildren, Lauren (Alex) Walerow, Glenn (Kaitlin) Haines, Calvin (Ashley) Haines, Leah Brady (Jon Melnik), Nicholas Brady (Mattie Spence); and four great-grandchildren, Maelyn Haines, Jack Haines, Emelia Haines, Adelaide Walerow, and her great-granddaughter due in April to Calvin and Ashley that she was so looking forward to meeting.

She was preceded in death by one brother, Randall Vannoy; her son-in-law, James Searcy; and her parents.

Calling hours will be held from 4-7PM Wednesday, March 19, 2025 at the ZABACK-WILLIAMS-DUCRO FUNERAL HOME, 500 West Prospect Road, Ashtabula.

Services will be 12 Noon Thursday, March 20, 2025 at the ZABACK-WILLIAMS-DUCRO FUNERAL HOME, 500 West Prospect Road, Ashtabula. Burial will in Greenlawn Memory Gardens, North Kingsville.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Ed Armstrong Scholarship Fund c/o Larry Haines 2412 Deerfield Dr., Ashtabula, OH 44004. Online obituary and condolences at www.ducro.com