Ina Dover Armand

Ina Dover Armand, 83, of Montgomery, Texas, passed away on January 28, 2016, of pulmonary hypertension and other related health issues. Ina was born in Sledge, Mississippi on May 1, 1932. She attended Crenshaw High School. Throughout her lifetime, Ina loved gardening and had a special gift for growing fruits, vegetables, and flowers. Her much loved and well-manicured backyard filled with remarkable plants was a place of beauty and served as a sanctuary for many species of bird friends. Ina loved family and was always fiercely protective of her own. She exhibited spunk, courage, and determination in rearing her children, never being afraid of the future. In contributing to the financial support of her family, she worked as a waitress at Kelly’s Restaurant in Houston, Texas. Ina always had a great sense of fun – loving laughter and practical jokes. A favorite song and one she lived out was, “Don’t Worry, Be Happy.” She found much pleasure in gift giving and even in hard times had something to share with others. She loved Christmas and birthdays. If no one else planned a party on her day, she planned her own. She loved to entertain, was a wonderful cook, and kept an immaculate house with a freezer full of home baked treats – just in case. Her indomitable but friendly spirit cannot be adequately described. To know Ina, you had to know her heart and the things she loved including all babies, Santa Claus, Blue Bell ice cream, high heels, big hats, jewelry, red lipstick, Facebook, flowers, Texas, and a man named Ray. Ina was married to Martin Ray Armand on November 14, 1987, and the couple spent 20 happy years together before his death on April 9, 2008. Ray and Ina lived in the Texas Hill Country for much of their married life before moving to Montgomery. They were faithful members of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Plantersville. Although Ina often had serious health issues, she never lost her optimism or positive outlook. When asked in her last days how she was feeling, she replied that she was “fine” and “looking forward to the future.” Ina is preceded in death by her parents, her siblings, two step-daughters – Janet Clare Heaston and Frances Ellen Thedford, her husband Ray, and recently her daughter Kelli (Monte) Buell. Her legacy and memory will live on through her surviving children: Regina (Michael) Ortale; Mickey (Gwen) Aldridge; Steve (Donna) Aldridge; Patricia (Gary) Nelius; Angela (Fred) Greer; Pat (Greg) Bearden; Les Pallett; Wesley (Alyse) Gilmore; Chris (Monica) Gilmore and stepdaughter Jeanie Johnson. In addition to ten living children, Ina is survived by 34 grandchildren and 27 great-grandchildren. The family will receive friends for visitation at Sam Houston Memorial from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, January 31. The funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, February 1, at Sam Houston Memorial in Montgomery with interment to follow at the cemetery of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Plantersville. Father Edward Kucera, Jr. will be officiating the service. Remembrances should be given to St. Jude Children’s Hospital in Memphis. You may leave written condolences at www.shmfh.com

Ina Dover Armand

May 1, 1932 - January 28, 2016