Lavelle Grief Armstrong, 84, of Clanton, formerly of Marion, Ill., passed away from a heart attack at 7:10 a.m., Saturday, July 31, 2010, at Shelby Baptist Hospital in Alabaster.
Lavelle was born June 15, 1926, in McCracken County, Ky. to the late Gaither F. Grief and Arcie Cumbee Grief.  She married Hoover K. Armstrong in Paducah, Ky. on Aug. 8, 1953.  Together they have enjoyed almost 57 years of wedded bliss.
Lavelle was a 1944 graduate from Health High School as well as an alumni of Paducah Junior College.  She retired from the Bell Telephone Company as an executive administrative assistant.
Surviving are her husband, Hoover K. Armstrong, of Clanton; twin daughters, Elise Armstrong of Clanton and Denise Orso and husband Tony of Marion, Ill.; grandson, Bart Orso and wife Noah of Herrin, Ill.; granddaughter, Britta Orso of Marion, Ill.; sister, Emily Throgmorton of LaCenter, Ky.; and a host of nieces and nephews whom she cherished and thought of as her own.
Preceding her in death were her parents, Gaither and Arcie Grief.
Lavelle was known and loved for her vivacious personality and gorgeous smile. She was the life of every party and always commanded the center of attention. She was everyone’s favorite and made all who knew her feel as though they too held a special place in her heart.  Lavelle was as sassy as they come — she always spoke her mind.  Even though she was an Armstrong by marriage, she was “the glue that binds” the extended Armstrong family.  Lavelle was truly adored…a special lady whose life was a joyous gift to all fortunate enough to know her.
Funeral services for Lavelle will be held at 1 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 3 at Martin Funeral Home with the Bro. Robert Terrell officiating. Burial will be in the Chilton Memorial Gardens cemetery in Clanton.  Friends may call from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the ALS Foundation.
Martin Funeral Home directing. www.martinfuneralhomeinc.com.