Edna Earle Armstrong Friel, 92, died peacefully on Saturday, December 15, at her home in Covington.
She was born in Moyers (Pendleton County), West Virginia, on August 9, 1920 to Berlin and Loula Rexrode Armstrong; and she grew up on the family farm in Doe Hill (Highland County), Virginia.
She graduated, Salutatorian, from McDowell High School in 1937, later from Bridgewater College in 1942. She taught for two years at Falling Springs High School, then worked at Westvaco in the Research Department.
She married John C. Friel of Falling Springs on July 6, 1946. She stayed home with her 3 children: Ann, John (Todd), and Bruce, until the youngest entered school.
She returned to teaching in 1960 and was a general math teacher at Covington High School until her retirement due to a progressive disability in 1981. Many of her former students who live locally have described her fondly as a "strict but good teacher."
She was a long-time, devoted member of Granbery Memorial United Methodist Church.
With her husband, and later with her grown children, she enjoyed travel to 48 U.S. states (she missed only Oklahoma and Arkansas), as well as New Zealand, Australia, Canada, England, and Western Europe.
In her last three decades, she lived courageously, gracefully and with dignity, despite her increasing disabilities. Even in her last year, she faithfully read the daily newspaper, watched TV news, knew what was happening in her community and the world, and cast her ballot in person on election day.
The family owes special gratitude to all those persons who made it possible for her to live out her life in her own home.
She was preceded in death by her husband John (1980); father (1972); mother (1980); baby sister Helen Armstrong (1937); brothers Kermit Eye (1986) and Glen Armstrong (2008); newborn grandson, Bryan Friel (1980); and beloved sisters-in-law, Nancy Armstrong (1967) and Rosemary Armstrong (2012).
She has been survived by her three children and their spouses: Ann and Ken Yeo of Olympia, WA; John (Todd) and Cathy Friel of Sahuarita, AZ; Bruce and Nellie Friel of Clifton Forge. Other survivors include 3 brothers: Walt Armstrong and wife, Martha, of Salem; Ben Armstrong and wife, Pat, of Churchville; and Gene Armstrong and partner, Nellie Sullivan, of Glen Allen. Also, three grandchildren: Jenny and husband, Michael Armstrong, Emily and husband, Frank Lopez, and Christin Friel; plus 3 great-grandchildren, Madilyn and Isabella Armstrong, as well as Christopher Lopez, all of Arizona. Finally, there is a multitude of surviving cousins, nieces, nephews, and other in-laws.
She was a beloved and respected figure in both sides of her large extended family.
The family will receive friends at Granbery Memorial United Methodist Church, 425 W. Main St. in Covington at 11 a.m. Saturday, December 22nd. Her memorial service, led by the Rev. Barry Throckmorton, will be at 12 noon, followed by a bereavement lunch at the church at 1 p.m. A private interment, with the family, will take place at Alleghany Memorial Park at 2:30 p.m.
Loving Funeral Home in Covington will handle the arrangements.
The family suggests that memorial donations, if desired to give, go to The Needy Fund, Granbery Memorial United Methodist Church, 425 W. Main Street, Covington, VA 24426.
