Nola Caroline Armitstead Obit

The Bakersfield Californian 17 September 2003

NOLA CAROLINE ARMITSTEAD

Nola touched the hand of the Lord as He took her home September 14, 2003, in
Bakersfield, CA. Born June 15, 1913, in Briartown, OK, to Joseph Sire and El
Dora (Wilcox) Emberson. Nola was a feisty redhead with a wonderful sense of
humor and loved to keep things stirred up with her practical jokes and
instigating nature. She was from a large farming family and learned her work ethics
as a very young child. And yes, a cotton picker. She married Henry William
Grider in 1933, and in 1935 they moved their family to Watsonville, Ca. Henry
preceded her in death in December 1969.

She then married Arthur Lund Armitstead and they moved to San Jose Ca. where
they made their home until March 1984 when they moved to Bakersfield, Ca.
Nola and Art spent many years on the road, searching for the perfect fishing
hole. They loved camping and fishing and made many friends along the way. If you
ever spent five minutes with Nola, you heard about her pride and joy. A 40
lb., 48 in. striped bass. They were also well known in every bingo parlor in
San Jose and Bakersfield. Arthur preceded her in death in December 1991. She
was also preceded in death by her parents, two brothers and eight sisters.
She is survived by her twin sister Ola Katherine Roark of Broken Arrow, OK.,
brothers Hershel and Eugene Emberson of Checotah, OK., sisters Pauline Fowler of
Bakersfield, Ca., Ila Mae Wales of Sacramento, Ca., daughters Mary Ellen
Collup and husband William, of Bakersfield, Betty Lou Edwards, Bakersfield and
Shirley Ann Aguirre and husband Daniel, Bakersfield. Son, Robert Ray Grider and
wife Arlene of Independence, Ca. She leaves 13 grandchildren, 21 great
grandchildren and 3 great great grandchildren in addition to numerous nieces and
nephews and their families.

Special thanks to her Carissa Ave. Caregivers and friends, Tina, Joyce, Lois
and Ermine and Janice and Teddy Cotton for opening their hearts and home with
tender loving care for the final days, the Hoffman Hospice for the outstanding
treatment and services rendered.

Visitation at Hillcrest Mortuary, Thurs., Sept. 18, from 4 - 8 p.m. Nola's
last camp out will be at Hillcrest Memorial Chapel and Whispering Pines,
Memorial Park, Friday, Sept. 19, 2003 at 2 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, you may wish to plant or donate a tree in living memory,
or make a memorial donation to Hoffman Hospice, 5300 California Ave., Ste. 1,
Bakersfield, Ca 93309.
The Bakersfield Californian