Obituary for Judith Armstrong
Judith Grace Armstrong, 87, of Springfield, passed away Saturday, September 25, 2021, at The Maples in Springfield, Missouri. Judith was born on November 23, 1933 in Jersey City, New Jersey, the daughter of Curtis Mims and Alice Pyle Mims. She grew up in Dallas, Texas, and received a B.A. at North Texas State University in 1955. She continued her education receiving a Master of Library Science degree at Texas Women’s University in 1964, and a M.A. in History at Missouri State University in 1972. Her long and successful career in library sciences began in the 1960’s and included positions at the University of Missouri Libraries and Daniel Boone Regional Library in Columbia, as well as Missouri State University Library, Springfield. Her professional life culminated in a 25-year career at Drury University, Springfield, from 1969-1994 where she was Director of the Library and Professor of Library and Information Science. Judith was active in many professional associations serving as President of the Missouri Library Association, President of the Missouri Libraries Network Board, and a board member of various library councils.
The major achievement of Judith’s career was her leadership in securing a $6.2 million dollar grant from the F. W. Olin Foundation to build Drury University’s 64,000 square-foot library which opened in 1992. This was the largest single donation ever received by Drury at the time. She was instrumental in creating the Women’s Studies program at Drury, and under her guidance, the library developed the strongest collection of material on feminism and gender studies in the region. She was an avid collector of books and a prolific reader, which influenced many people throughout her life. Judith was the founding member and force behind a book club of women friends who have been together over 30 years. Her book collection has been donated to the Springfield-Greene County Library for the Friends of the Library book sales.
Judith was a frequent traveler and had many friends throughout the United States. She collected a wide variety of art and unique books throughout her life and shared her adventures with her varied circles of friends. She loved hiking in the out of doors and enjoyed sailing her own boat for many years. The great Blue Heron was a significant bird in Judith’s life. When she retired, she was a regular volunteer at the Springfield Conservation Nature Center. One of her favorite pastimes in recent years was to go to the Saturday Farmers Market of the Ozarks and drink coffee while visiting with the vendors and friends.
Judith is survived by a brother, John C. (Jack) Mims, two nieces, Kathleen (Kat) Mims and Kim Mims-Spellman, a nephew, Billy Jack Mims, and special friends Doane Smith, Paula Glossip, and Ann Meuser. She also left behind her beloved pet, Pussycat, who now has a new home. A private service will take place at a later date. Those wishing to remember Judith may make a donation to the local library of their choice. Judith would prefer that those who knew her would not be sad at her passing, but instead she would want them to read a book.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Herman H. Lohmeyer Funeral Home in Springfield.
Permanent online condolences, stories and photos may be shared at www.hhlohmeyer.com.
The major achievement of Judith’s career was her leadership in securing a $6.2 million dollar grant from the F. W. Olin Foundation to build Drury University’s 64,000 square-foot library which opened in 1992. This was the largest single donation ever received by Drury at the time. She was instrumental in creating the Women’s Studies program at Drury, and under her guidance, the library developed the strongest collection of material on feminism and gender studies in the region. She was an avid collector of books and a prolific reader, which influenced many people throughout her life. Judith was the founding member and force behind a book club of women friends who have been together over 30 years. Her book collection has been donated to the Springfield-Greene County Library for the Friends of the Library book sales.
Judith was a frequent traveler and had many friends throughout the United States. She collected a wide variety of art and unique books throughout her life and shared her adventures with her varied circles of friends. She loved hiking in the out of doors and enjoyed sailing her own boat for many years. The great Blue Heron was a significant bird in Judith’s life. When she retired, she was a regular volunteer at the Springfield Conservation Nature Center. One of her favorite pastimes in recent years was to go to the Saturday Farmers Market of the Ozarks and drink coffee while visiting with the vendors and friends.
Judith is survived by a brother, John C. (Jack) Mims, two nieces, Kathleen (Kat) Mims and Kim Mims-Spellman, a nephew, Billy Jack Mims, and special friends Doane Smith, Paula Glossip, and Ann Meuser. She also left behind her beloved pet, Pussycat, who now has a new home. A private service will take place at a later date. Those wishing to remember Judith may make a donation to the local library of their choice. Judith would prefer that those who knew her would not be sad at her passing, but instead she would want them to read a book.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Herman H. Lohmeyer Funeral Home in Springfield.
Permanent online condolences, stories and photos may be shared at www.hhlohmeyer.com.