1920
Molly
2009
Molly Caroline Kitsman
September 8, 1920 — November 2, 2009
Molly C. Kitsman, 89, died Monday, November 2, 2009. Following private graveside rites, there will be a memorial service at First Presbyterian Church on Thursday, November 5th at 11:00am, conducted by Senior Pastor Dr. Jim Bankhead. Arrangements are by Schooler Funeral Home, 4100 S. Georgia.
Molly Caroline Armstrong was born on September 8, 1920 in Tulsa, Oklahoma on a farm which later became The Philbrook Museum of Art. She was the youngest of six children of Henry G. and Anna Byrde Armstrong. She grew up in Joplin, Missouri, graduated from Joplin High School in 1938 and attended Joplin Junior College where she was prominent in dramatic activities.
On June 29, 1940, Molly married William Lester “Bill” Kitsman, beginning a marriage that spanned fifty-eight years of enduring love. Initially they lived in Bartlesville, OK before he entered the Army Corps of Engineers, building roads and airstrips in India, Burma and Assam during World War II. Upon his return, he resumed working for Phillips Petroleum Co. in exploration and production, and they started a family, having two sons, William Paul Kitsman and Charles Byrd Kitsman.
Molly was a devoted mother and homemaker, ably managing a household that moved frequently as Bill’s work with Phillips required. In the early years of their marriage the Kitsmans lived in East Texas, Eastern Kansas, and West Texas. Then, in 1956 they moved to Calgary, Alberta, Canada. It was there that Molly joined a P.E.O. chapter in 1959, beginning a lifelong affiliation of great importance to her.
Subsequent moves included Brisbane, Australia and Kuwait before the family returned to the United States in 1967, settling in Borger, Texas. In 1993, the Kitsmans moved to Amarillo.
Molly was active in Chapter CM of P.E.O. for more than thirty years, often traveling from Borger to attend meetings and conferences. She received her fifty-year pin in June of this year.
An avid golfer, Molly played on courses in Canada, Australia, Kuwait, Colorado and Texas. She traveled the world, seeing Europe, the Middle East, India, and the Far East. Molly played bridge in several clubs, was a Red Cross hospital volunteer, served on church committees, did arts and crafts and needlepoint. After moving to Amarillo she joined the Panhandle Geological Auxiliary. Her spiritual life was nourished by Thursday Bible Study and her church circles at First Presbyterian Church.
Molly’s loving husband Bill preceded her in death, as well as her parents, her brothers Harry S. Armstrong, Hunter B. Armstrong, and Paul E. Armstrong, and her sister Marjorie G. Armstrong. Her sons William P. Kitsman, Santa Fe, NM and Charles B. Kitsman and wife Georgia, Amarillo, and her sister Pegeen Blackford, Neodosha, KS, survive her, as well as her grandson Miles and Heather Kitsman, Lihue, HI and their son Jayden O. Kitsman, nieces Mary Nardini, Melbourne, FL, Sunny Kay Parker, Collinsville, OK. Gaytina Orr, Neodosha, KS and nephew Stanley Armstrong, La Vernia, TX.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to: P.E.O. Program for Continuing Education, 3700 Grand Ave., Des Moines, IA 50312; Opportunity School,1100 S. Harrison, Amarillo,TX 79101; The Presbyterian Children’s Home in Amarillo, 3400 S. Bowie, Amarillo, TX 79109, or a favorite charity.
Molly Caroline Armstrong was born on September 8, 1920 in Tulsa, Oklahoma on a farm which later became The Philbrook Museum of Art. She was the youngest of six children of Henry G. and Anna Byrde Armstrong. She grew up in Joplin, Missouri, graduated from Joplin High School in 1938 and attended Joplin Junior College where she was prominent in dramatic activities.
On June 29, 1940, Molly married William Lester “Bill” Kitsman, beginning a marriage that spanned fifty-eight years of enduring love. Initially they lived in Bartlesville, OK before he entered the Army Corps of Engineers, building roads and airstrips in India, Burma and Assam during World War II. Upon his return, he resumed working for Phillips Petroleum Co. in exploration and production, and they started a family, having two sons, William Paul Kitsman and Charles Byrd Kitsman.
Molly was a devoted mother and homemaker, ably managing a household that moved frequently as Bill’s work with Phillips required. In the early years of their marriage the Kitsmans lived in East Texas, Eastern Kansas, and West Texas. Then, in 1956 they moved to Calgary, Alberta, Canada. It was there that Molly joined a P.E.O. chapter in 1959, beginning a lifelong affiliation of great importance to her.
Subsequent moves included Brisbane, Australia and Kuwait before the family returned to the United States in 1967, settling in Borger, Texas. In 1993, the Kitsmans moved to Amarillo.
Molly was active in Chapter CM of P.E.O. for more than thirty years, often traveling from Borger to attend meetings and conferences. She received her fifty-year pin in June of this year.
An avid golfer, Molly played on courses in Canada, Australia, Kuwait, Colorado and Texas. She traveled the world, seeing Europe, the Middle East, India, and the Far East. Molly played bridge in several clubs, was a Red Cross hospital volunteer, served on church committees, did arts and crafts and needlepoint. After moving to Amarillo she joined the Panhandle Geological Auxiliary. Her spiritual life was nourished by Thursday Bible Study and her church circles at First Presbyterian Church.
Molly’s loving husband Bill preceded her in death, as well as her parents, her brothers Harry S. Armstrong, Hunter B. Armstrong, and Paul E. Armstrong, and her sister Marjorie G. Armstrong. Her sons William P. Kitsman, Santa Fe, NM and Charles B. Kitsman and wife Georgia, Amarillo, and her sister Pegeen Blackford, Neodosha, KS, survive her, as well as her grandson Miles and Heather Kitsman, Lihue, HI and their son Jayden O. Kitsman, nieces Mary Nardini, Melbourne, FL, Sunny Kay Parker, Collinsville, OK. Gaytina Orr, Neodosha, KS and nephew Stanley Armstrong, La Vernia, TX.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to: P.E.O. Program for Continuing Education, 3700 Grand Ave., Des Moines, IA 50312; Opportunity School,1100 S. Harrison, Amarillo,TX 79101; The Presbyterian Children’s Home in Amarillo, 3400 S. Bowie, Amarillo, TX 79109, or a favorite charity.
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