ARMSTRONG, Vernetta

The White Mountain Independent, Show Low, Arizona ~ 12/11/2015 Vernetta Hooke Armstrong entered into rest unexpectedly Dec. 2, 2015, in Whiteriver. She was born Oct. 31, 1966, to Lawrence L. Hooke Sr. and the late Vera Victor Hooke. Vernetta was raised in Peridot by her grandparents. She attended Rice School Elementary, Globe High School where she graduated in 1984 and received her general studies with a diploma. She continued her education by attending Southwestern Indian Polythechnic Institute in Albuquerque, N.M., and received her clerk typist certificate and graduated in May 1989. She continued her schooling by attending Northland Pioneer College and completed her degree of associate of applied science and graduated in May 2001. Throughout her life she was employed with the San Carlos Administration Office, San Carlos Cattle Office and Kirtland Air Force Base with the title of clerical aide. She also worked with the San Carlos Unified School District 20 as parent liaison at Theodore Roosevelt School. She will be dearly missed by many who knew her as “Maya, Big Heart Scat.” When a head cook was needed, it would be Maya. “We will miss her cooking.” Vernetta had her own little beauty parlor, perming friends and relatives’ hair and would say, “Today I have a busy schedule.” In her spare time she would do bead work and quilt stitch by hand. She was a role model for education by encouraging her nieces and nephews to continue their education. Family and friends will dearly miss her loud laugh. You knew that was “Maya” as she would end with her phone conversations with “later.” She is survived by her husband, Anthony Armstrong; stepson Roy Armstrong; father Lawrence L. Hooke Sr.; brothers Wilmer, Delmar, Duane, Skeeter, David, Lawrence Jr., Wayne and Delbert Hooke; and sisters Estherlita (Anthony) Gilbert and Darnell (Mark) Burnette. She was preceded in death by her mother, Vera Victor Hooke, grandmother Winnie Dosela Victor, grandfather Emerson Victor and sister Elva Hooke Polk. Vernetta will be brought home Friday, Dec. 11, at 10 a.m. at Seven Mile. There will be an escort back to San Carlos Saturday, Dec. 12, leaving at 10 a.m. and the wake in San Carlos starting at 1 p.m. Funeral services will be held 1 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 13, at the World Evangelist Revival Center in Gilson Wash. Silver Creek Mortuary of Whiteriver handled arrangements.