Obituary of Naomi Stansbury

Naomi Armstrong, who everyone knew as Billie, was born in Highland County, Virginia early in 1921. She passed away on July 13, 2014She graduated from Churchville High School where she played on her school’s softball team. She moved to Washington, D.C. in 1940 where she held several office jobs and lived with her future sister-in-law. Billie was introduced to Fred Stansbury through another relative and they got married in 1946. Their first child, Jeff, was born in 1955 followed four years later by their daughter, Susan. As the children were growing up, Billie became actively involved in the garden club, working her way up to become a Nationally Accredited Master Flower Show Judge. This was a long process involving years of training.She served as Chairwoman, Treasurer and driving force behind the National Capital Area Garden Clubs Inc. “Project Great Oaks”. She and Fred took on this huge project of landscaping Great Oaks, a children’s center for developmentally handicapped children run by the State of Maryland and Prince George’s County. She received several Honorary Status Awards for her accomplishments on this project. She continued to enjoy gardening at her own home well into her 90s.She helped design and landscape the Memorial Garden at her Lanham Methodist Church.Billie and Fred earned many Distinction Honor Awards for their involvement in the yearly National Christmas Shows at the Botanic Gardens in Washington, D.C. In addition to gardening, Billie spent three decades volunteering for Help By Phone, Ltd., a short term agency that provides goods and services to county residents who need the basics of everyday life. She served as a member of the Board of Directors and an officer of that Board. Her dedication moved her to talk with people in need, arrange for goods and services, transport food, work to ready a shelter for occupancy, and provide food and clothing. She and Fred would take regular day trips to Frederick or West Virginia to enjoy picnic lunches. Memorial services will be held Saturday, August 16, 2014 at 1:00 pm at Lanham Methodist Church, 5512 Whitfield Chapel Road, Lanham, Maryland, 20706. She leaves behind her two children, Jeffrey Stansbury (Audrey), and Susan Wright (Lawrence). Also survived by three grandchildren, Eryn (Jason), Gwynne, and Davis; a great grandson Kellan. She was predeceased by her husband Frederick Stansbury. Memorial Contributions may be made to Lanham Methodist Church Memorial Garden Fund. Floral gifts will also be accepted.