Patricia Carol Armstrong Vance

Patricia Carol Armstrong Vance; Patricia, or Pat, was born March 20, 1953, in Sulphur Springs, Texas, the second of three children of Frances and Billy Ray Armstrong. She spent the beginning portion of her life in Sulphur Springs, where she attended public schools and graduated high school from Sulphur Springs High School. She became a world traveler after marrying her high school sweetheart, Donald Ray Vance on September 14, 1970 and after Donald enlisted in the United States Army. Their military travels took them to Germany, Oklahoma, Virginia, California, back to Germany, Kentucky, Tennessee and finally Arkansas, where they settled for over 15 years. During these traveling years, Pat worked for various military installations, including, Army, Marine Corps, Navy, and Air Force. It was at Little Rock Air Force Base where she finished her illustrious career of 23 years as a civil servant for the government and was honored at her retirement ceremony in March of 2010. During these years, she won many awards for excellence in Civil Service. Pat had a very giving heart and she was full of charity for the sick and needy and she volunteered for several nonprofit organizations benefitting the causes of special needs, terminally ill children, and the homeless and hungry. Pat's pride and joy was her family. Her husband was the love of her life. Her daughters, Shawna Kay Heltsley of Cabot, Ark. and JoLynn Carter of Fleming Island, Fla., where her pride and joy. She has four grandchildren, Jonathan Heltsley, Matthew Heltsley, Victoria Carter and Nicholas Carter. She was preceded in death by her dear father, Billy Ray Armstrong in 2002. Her mother, Frances Eugenia Armstrong is still living in Sulphur Springs, Texas. She has two brothers, John Ray Armstrong of Jacksonville, Fla. and Tommy Eugene Armstrong of Gaithersberg, Md. Those that knew Pat knew that she was not afraid of death and strongly believed in God and Jesus as her Lord and Savior. If Pat were here to speak to us, she would remind each of us to love one another, cherish every moment, to take care of others, to live each day to it's fullest and to spread the word of our living God, Jesus Christ. Patricia passed away on Friday night, February 10, 2012, at home with family. A celebration of her life will be at First Baptist Church of Sulphur Springs, Texas Spence Chapel on Saturday, February 18, 2012. Visitation at 10 a.m., Memorial Service at 11 a.m. with a fellowship following the service. In lieu of flowers, donations should be sent to St. Jude's Children's Hospital, research department. Cremation arrangements are under the direction of Murray-Orwosky Funeral Home. The online register can be signed at: www.murrayorwosky.com.