Shirley L. Armstrong

Shirley L. Armstrong, 74, of Zanesville, died at 9:40 p.m. Thursday, February 19, 2009 at the Muskingum County Home. She was born March 31, 1934, in Zanesville, a daughter of the late Loren and Daisy Besser Best Smith. Shirley had worked for Hazel Atlas and then retired after 25 years of service for Essex Wire and was a member of Coburn United Methodist Church. Surviving are her ex-husband and companion, Vernon E. Armstrong, of the home; 5 nieces (who were like her daughters), Marjorie (Roy) Parrill of Zanesville, Carol Alexander of Duncan Falls, Evelyn Todd and Laura (Ernie) Huber, both of Zanesville and Tina (Leslie) Misner of Butchtal, Ohio; a niece, Kathy Albert; a nephew, Mike (Dawn) Best and a sister-in-law, Ruthie Best, all of Sandusky; and her best friend, Lady B. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her first husband, Homer Burson, who died in 1982; her grandparents; a sister, Juanita Best Duvall; and 2 brothers, James and Charles Best. Friends may call 2 to 4 & 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday, February 22, 2009 at the Bolin-Dierkes Funeral Home, 1271 Blue Ave., Zanesville. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Monday, February 23, 2009 at the funeral home with Rev. Doris Flynn officiating. Burial will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Genesis Hospice and Palliative Care, 713 Forest Ave., Zanesville, Ohio, 43701.