Artdanz.com – Muses

My mother, my dad and me. Check out the automobile! Photo taken in 1958.

Great-Grandmother Tempy Elizabeth Parker

My father said that his Grandma Parker was a very quiet woman – he remembered her sitting and weaving baskets and rarely saying anything.

John Wesley Williamson, My Great-Grandfather

The left-most person is my great-grandfather John Wesley Williamson.

Armstrongs in Jail - Late 1950's at a County Fair

From left to right: Martha Armstrong, Julia Armstrong, James William Armstrong and Mary Armstrong Litrell.

Taken at the county fair in Montgomery, AL. Late 1950’s.

Bill and Phyl Armstrong

My mother, Martha Powell Armstrong (Canyon Sue) and my father, James William Armstrong (Willie) were aspiring country musicians in their youth. They played live on the radio quite often and performed in various places around the Southeast. My dad traveled and performed with Hank Williams Senior in the early years (before Hank Williams become famous).

“Willie” also participated in rodeos – trick riding, bronc & bull riding and so forth. He decided to change careers when he was injured during a bull ride. Eventually my dad became a firefighter and my mother a genealogist & necrogeographer.

Bill Armstrong playing his guitar, January 26, 1953

My Great-Grandparents Miranda Iona Bell Powell & James Curren Powell

I never knew my Great-Grandfather, but remember my Great-Grandma Bell. She was tiny and brown as a berry. Even as an old lady, she was very agile, energetic, and strict. The children knew not to misbehave around her! She grew gourds and made eating utensils and other items out of them. She was known as a healer and often visited the woods to gather herbs to make medicines. She had diabetes (which runs in the family) and treated herself with herbs until she was very old. Family members told us she was of American Indian descent.

My Great-Grandparents Miranda Iona Bell Powell & James Curren Powell as young parents.

James William Armstrong with his brother Neal and their cousins (taken in Florida)

My dad, James William Armstrong, is on the far right. Sitting next to him is Neal Armstrong, his brother. The other young guys are their cousins, the Tuckers. The photo was taken in Florida, and it’s estimated that the photo was taken around 1915-1920.