"The paradisic scarlet hued orb begins its soar at dawn; its successful completion is inevitable; peering the banks of the horizon; destined to master its daily journey because the Great Diety has deemed it to be; so was the sojourn of this prodigious lady, destined to master a rewarding profession."

        The formative years of education were begun and completed at the East Carroll Parish Baptist Association School, a private institution.
         As an amazon queen struggling to capture her antagonist, this gigantean, whom we acclaim, constantly strove to capture astounding endeavors.  The quest to further her education imprisoned her.  After graduating from high school, she studied for 2 years at Leland College, Baker, Louisiana.  She continued her university matriculations through extension classes and summer school at Southern University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana; Alcorn State Univeristy, Lorman, Mississippi; and Grambling State University, Grambling, Louisiana.  The Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education was awarded from Grambling State University, Grambling, Louisiana.
        Cloaked in solemnity, this patronage of education began her teaching career in 1942 in the rustic realms of East Carroll Parish in the Waddell School, housed in the Pilgrim Rest Missionary Baptist Church.  Later, Waddell School was transferred to the Mt. Carmel Missionary Baptist Church.  Being the only teacher there, she taught grades 1-6 under the principalship of Mrs. Pernetta Brannum Harris.
        Because of people migration, eventually Waddell School was terminated.  But!  This jewel of a lady, this desirer of molding the educational destinies of young minds, continued her solicitious pilgrimage.  She trodded to Olive Dell School.  There she taught grades 1-3, and the late Mrs. Fannie Butler taught grades 4-6.  After Mrs. Butler's retirement, Mrs. Lillie Bell Cox became the co-worker of our honoree, teaching grades 4-6.
        In 1955, East Carroll Parish Schools were consolidated; our honoree was then transferred to Carroll Elementary School, teaching sixth grade.  In 1964, a new elementary school was constructed, George Washington Griffin Elementary School, presently Southside Elementary School.  She was among the first teachers to transfer.  There she taught sixth grade; later Title I Math.  She remained at Southside Elementary School until retirement, May, 1979.
        Charisma!  Devotedness!  Genuineness!  Authenticity!  Artistry!  All deserving particularities of this furrow, this channel, this giant of a woman, educationally ordained during the hardship years, those mean years.
        As a faithful member of the Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church, she is Superientendent of the Sunday School, Secretary-Treasurer of the Building Fund, and Treasurer of the East Carroll Baptist Association's Sunday School and B.T.U. Congress.
        She is the second child of eight girls and one boy, children of the late Rev. S. A. Cooper and Mrs. Winnie Bernadine Cooper.  She is the proud mother of Solomon Anthony Armstrong, teacher of Art at the Lake Providence Sr. and J. High Schools.
        Mrs. Mary Ethel Cooper Armstrong, the Parish of East Carroll respectfully submit that you are a deserving recipiant of our love and respect.  Just as God's sun begins its surge in pleasantry and plentitude, very aware that its ttask is never ending because its replenishing beams return daily, so is the brilliancy of your mortal light, Mrs. Armstrong.  It sprinkles us in splendor and hope.  We are very gratified for God's creating you, and we are more than appreciative of your willfully sharing with us your blanked of longevity.  We beseech for you God's blessings, and implore that He grant us your humanistic similitude.
        Mrs. Mary Ethel Cooper Armstrong, we pay homage to you.

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