Mary Jo Armstrong, 86, passed away on June 5, 2026, in Fort Worth, Tx. Mary Jo was born on February 28,1940, in Hamilton County the daughter of Willis and Georgia Northcutt. She attended elementary school in Pottsville, Tx. The family moved to Justin, Tx and she graduated from Northwest High School in 1958. She went on to earn a bachelor’s and master’s degree from Baylor University.

Her work experience included church ministries, juvenile parole officer, and book and curriculum author. She was part of the first Missionary Journeyman group of the Southern Baptist Convention in Taiwan, 1965-67. She enjoyed creating art through drawing and poetry. Pastels were her art medium of choice. She loved to study and record family history. She did extensive research on the Lacewell and McPherson families. She enjoyed sports, especially golf and basketball. Her favorite team was the Mavericks and the Baylor Bears, especially when they were playing and often beating SMU.

Mary Jo married Keating Armstrong in 1975. They resided most often in Denton, Tx with five early years at Lake Kiowa, Tx. Keating and Mary Jo thrived as a team. They learned and enjoyed golf together. Later Keating retired from Olan Mills Studio to develop and sell books and curriculum written by Mary Jo. They were together as a positive team until his death in 2013.

She was preceded in death by her parents and two brothers Mack Northcutt and Robert Northcutt. She had a very special relationship with Keating’s nephews and niece, Michael Smith, Todd Smith and Tracy Simko. Her cousins Sue Giddings and Beth McPherson and friend Janice May provided encouragement and support during her later life. She is survived by McPherson cousins and numerous friends throughout the years including residents at The Waterford in Fort Worth, TX where she has lived for the last six years.

Mary Jo lived her life trusting God and walking with Him. His care and direction had been very visible during her last years. A special thank you goes out to Community Hospice of Fort Worth.

A graveside service is planned for Thursday, June 11, 2026, at Justin Cemetery where she will be laid to rest beside her beloved husband Keating Armstrong.