Exceptional, caring and an inspirational to many, my mother, Ruth Shirley Ann Hunt Armstrong; born in Marianna, Arkansas on October 2, 1945, third child of six children to Andrew Hunt and Ruth B Cooper Hunt. During her early childhood, Shirley made a choice to accept Jesus Christ as her personal Lord and Savior at New Bethel M.B. Church where she was a favorite servant. She used her talents wherever needed; she taught Intermediate Sunday School, director of the Vacation Bible School and Trustee. She also played the piano for New Bethel M.B. Church and St. Luke A.M.E. Church in Marianna, Arkansas. She graduated Salutatorian from Ann Strong High School and went on to college at Philander Smith in Little Rock, Arkansas earning her Bachelor of Arts of Degree. She also did graduate work at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock and the University of Central Arkansas at Conway. A dedicated secondary educator for thirty-one years (31) in the Lee County Public School System. She began her career at Anna Strong High School under the principalship of Mr. Acie Johnson. She ended her career as an English instructor and department chairperson at Lee Senior High School in Lee County. According to Shirley, the most memorable educational experience was the opportunity to teach her brother during her first year as a teacher, and the honor to teach many other relatives even her own children. Shirley consider it notable to have taught the former Secretary of Transportation of the United States, Mr. Rodney Slater, all of this gave her great pride in the Lee County Public Schools. During her life Shirley received numerous awards including: Student Council Advisory trophy, Lee County Education Association, her work on the Race and Sex Equity Committee, Teacher of the Week, Parental Involvement Recognition Award and Super Teacher Award. She was a dedicated member of Eta Sigma Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, Arkansas Teachers of Language Arts of Association, Arkansas Education, National Education Association and was an active local association voice. She served as a board member of the Lee County Cooperative Clinic, Justice of the Peace for District IX, and secretary of the twelve-member governing board of Arkansas Association of Quorum Courts. Shirley was not just a joiner of organizations, she initiated action and caused the groups with whom she affiliated to make a significant difference in the lives of the people, her relatives, and her community. Her favorite bible scripture "I must work the works of Him that sent me, while is is day, the night cometh, when no man can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world. John 9:4-5 My mom, Ruth Shirley Ann Hunt Armstrong taught us that “Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass it’s learning how to dance and live in the rain”. Her legacy will continue with her four children, and their children, and all the students she taught for thirty-one years! She's truly missed and we will continue to dance and live in the rain until we meet again. #WomensActivismNYCAmbassador