Velda Kimball Armstrong passed away Aug. 10 in Ontario.

She was born to Ira George and Sophia Valentine Jones Kimball March 3, 1926, in the mountains south of Prairie City.

She married Richard Armstrong, and they raised four children. They farmed in the Willowcreek Valley, and then lived in the Burns-Hines area. They returned to Willowcreek in 1960. Velda loved the mountains, the farm, her garden, and most of all, her family.

She is survived by her best friend, Sam Meacham, and his daughter, Dindia; sister, Iona (Jim) Gregg of Bend; brother, Leland Kimball of Prineville; children, Linda (Jim) Bossen of Salem, Daniel (Jeannette) Armstrong of Ontario, Charles Armstrong of Caldwell, Kan., Marsha Armstrong (Keith Carter) of Ontario, and her forever children, Roberto Rodriguez and Carol Armstrong; grandchildren, Cindy (Tim) Purdy of Burns, Jodell (Ezam) Bayan of Salem, James (Denise) Cooksey of Douglas, Wyo., Nathan (Robyn) Cooksey of Salem, Kypp (Kathy) Armstrong of Vale, Jason (Cynthia) Rodriguez of Greenwood, Ind., Roberta (David) Counterman of Ponca City, Okla., and Renee Armstrong of Emporia, Kan.; great-grandchildren, Nicholas Purdy of Bremerton, Wash., Derek Purdy of Sparks, Nev., Martin Armstrong of Ontario, Thomas (Rachael) Armstrong of Vale, Amanda (Cory) Dalton of Perry, Okla., Stephen Bilyeu Jr. of Arkansas City, Kan., Travis Cooksey of Salem, Elizabeth Bayan of Bowling Green, Ohio, Sean Bayan (Sarah Solis) of Salem, Lauren Rodriguez of Yuma, Ariz., Ivanna Rodriguez of Greenwood, Ind., Dillon, Liam, and Malachi Cooksey of Salem, and Mariah Helm of Portland; great-great-grandchildren, Cooper and Dane Purdy of Sparks, Nev.; and cousins, nieces, and nephews too numerous to name. She loved them all.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, one brother, five sisters, and the sister of her heart, Helen Lowe Opie. If there is a mountain or a desert in heaven, Helen and Velda are going for a horseback ride and probably looking for some mischief!

Services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Aug. 18, at the Vale Christian Church.

The family wants to thank Dr. John Phillips for 30-plus years of care and friendship, and the staff at St. Al’s ER and CCU for their professionalism, skill, and kindness. Also thanks to Betsy Bates and the wonderful staff (saints) at Pioneer Place Assisted living for their daily patience, helpfulness, compassion, and laughter.

In memory of Mom, please remember to love your neighbor as yourself, and to offer food, water, and shelter to those in need, without exception or qualification. Why? Because in Mom’s words, “That’s what Jesus told us to do.”