BETTY HELENE ARMSTRONG's Obituary
Helene was born at home in Nash County, North Carolina, on November 28, 1932, to William Clay Vaughan and Bettie Priscilla Vaughan. On February 2, 2026, she was reunited with her beloved husband, Charles Hamilton Armstrong, and her daughter, Carmel Anne Armstrong Wood. Helene was also preceded in death by her parents; her siblings and their spouses, Norman and Arma Vaughan, Ralph Vaughan, and Florine and Bobby Joyner; and her dear friend of 87 years, Nellie Rhea Winstead. Raised in Nash County, Helene attended Coopers School, where she completed her elementary, middle, and high school education, graduating in 1951. She earned a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from East Carolina University in 1955, beginning a lifelong vocation as an educator and musician. She taught for two years near ECU at Winterville Elementary School before marrying Charles Hamilton Armstrong on August 25, 1957. Following their marriage, the couple lived in South Bend, Indiana, where Charles attended Notre Dame University and where Helene taught for one year at Christ the King School. Their son, Charles Raphael Armstrong, was born on June 14, 1958, followed by their daughter Carmel Ann Armstrong Wood on August 14, 1959. The family later lived in Jacksonville, Windsor, and Ahoskie, North Carolina, where their youngest daughter, Betty Teresa Armstrong O’Brien, was born on April 14, 1964. In August of 1964, they moved to La Plata, Maryland, where Helene resumed her teaching career. She taught third grade at the Waldorf School in Charles County, followed by elementary music at Mt. Hope/Nanjemoy, Glasva, and the Waldorf School. After budget cuts eliminated elementary music positions, Helene transitioned to Prince George’s County Public Schools, where she taught at Henry Ferguson, Potomac Landing, and several other schools. Despite teaching part-time at times due to county reductions in force, including assignments at Tayak and Glass Manor, she consistently demonstrated resilience, excellence, and a deep commitment to her students. In addition to her work in public schools, Helene taught piano lessons in her home to many children in Charles County, generously sharing her love of music and nurturing confidence and creativity in countless young people. As she faced the challenges of dementia, Helene’s connection to music remained strong. She was still able to play the piano beautifully, finding comfort and joy in her favorite hymns, “How Great Thou Art” and “Amazing Grace.” After 37 years in education, Helene retired in 1997. She is survived by her children Charles Raphael Armstrong and Betty Teresa (TC) O’Brien (Steve); her son-in-law William S. Wood Jr.: her grandchildren Brittany Michele Wood, Kayla Marie Wood, and Madelyn Elise Cooper Hinshaw (Matt); and her great-grandchildren Mallory Ann Pyles (father Steve Daniel Pyles Jr.), Charlee Grace Hinshaw, and Claire Elise Hinshaw. She is also survived by her loving sister-in-law Doretha Vaughan; nephews Bill Joyner, Randy Joyner, Victor Vaughan, Brian Vaughan, Mike Vaughan; niece Angie Vaughan Baker; along with many great-nieces and nephews, dear friends, and generations of students whose lives she touched deeply Helene will be remembered for her endless devotion to family, her unwavering commitment to education, her faith, and her enduring love of music. She lived her values day to day and was a role model to all who knew her, consistently demonstrating outstanding character, strength, wisdom, patience, kindness, and unconditional love. Her legacy lives on in the lives she touched, the music she shared, and the love she gave so freely. Visitation: Thursday, February 19, 2026 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. Raymond’s Funeral Home, La Plata, MD Celebration of Life: Friday, February 20, 2026 10:00 a.m. Raymond’s Funeral Home, La Plata, MD Private Interment at Trinity Memorial Gardens Memorial donations may be made to: Hope in Harmony – Founder & Artistic Director- Daughter TC O’Brien P.O. Box 2048, Leonardtown, MD 20650 https://www.hopeinharmonymd.org Southern Maryland Concert Band – Founder-Husband Charles Armstrong Christine Denison, Treasurer 23699 Coventry Drive, Leonardtown, MD 20650 http://www.somdconcertband.org
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