Marshall Eugene Armstrong, 95
November 6, 1930 – November 25, 2025
Marshall Eugene Armstrong was born November 6, 1930, in Pontotoc, MS to the late James “Pat” Armstrong and Lizzie Gibson Armstrong. He was the youngest of four children and was given the nickname “Babe”. He attended Queen Springs School until seventh grade and had to quit to help his father, who was a sharecropper on the farm.
He was a member of Mt. Nebo United Methodist Church, and also attended Friendship Baptist Church with his wife, and was a faithful member of both until his health started to decline.
Babe was united in holy matrimony to Verna Jean Pickens on November 1, 1959, and they recently celebrated 66 years of marriage. To this union three children were born.
Babe had many skills in his years on earth. He worked for Luther Motors and then moved on to Herman Concrete. He then became employed at Brookwood Furniture for about 21 years and then moved to Barclay Furniture in Sherman, MS until he retired. Not being able to sit still during his retired years, he started working with Thomas Chewe pouring concrete until his health started to change.
Babe was a big sports fan. Baseball was his passion. It has been said he was one of the best 1st basemen and hind catchers in Pontotoc County in his day. He loved attending the community baseball games in Springville and especially any event on “Golden Hill”. He was an avid Pontotoc Warrior basketball fan and would often follow them to Jackson when possible. He was a member of Masonic Garfield Lodge #61.
Babe loved planting a garden, talking with people, and spending time with his family. To his grandchildren he was known as “Paw”. They loved riding in his truck, eating ice cream, and making snow cone trips with him on the weekends.
On November 25, 2025, at NMMC in Tupelo, God called his good and faithful servant home.
Babe was preceded in death by his parents Lizzie & Pat Armstrong, his brother James “Junior” Armstrong, 2 sisters Francis Armstrong and Ora Faye Vaughn, his daughter-in-law Evelyn Armstrong, and great grandson Kenan Williams.
Babe leaves to cherish his memory: his loving wife of 66 years Verna Jean; his children: Rickey Armstrong and Norma Holmes Cook of Pontotoc, Kimberley Holley of Tupelo; ten grandchildren: James Armstrong, Antonio Hightower, Amanda and Ashley Williams, Rico Armstrong, Ryan Crayton, Chris Brooks, Kamon, Cason and CJ Holley; seven great grands: Fredrick, Jasmine (Julian), Kierra, Jadeyn, Cameron, Cayden and Chris Jr; four great-great grands: Elijah, Khyrie, Josiah and Eloni; two sisters in law: Lynn Shack of Orange, FL and Sue Coleman Armstrong of Grand Rapids, MI; two brothers in law: Larry Shack of Orange, FL and Alvis Vaughn of Pontotoc, MS; one niece Lorien (Ivan) Holland of Detroit, MI; and a host of cousins and friends.
Visitation will be Sunday, November 30, 2025, from 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM at Payton Mortuary. Funeral service will be Monday, December 1, 2025, at 1:00 PM at Mt. Nebo United Methodist Church, 1221 Campground Road, Pontotoc, MS 38863.
Please follow the funeral home link above for further information, or to send online condolences or memorial gifts.
~
