Martha Lillian Armistead Mchale

Sadly, Martha Lillian Armistead McHale left us on Friday, July 7, 2023.

Martha grew up in Shreveport, LA, but lived for a time in New Orleans when her older brothers were in medical school. Martha graduated from C.E. Byrd High School in Shreveport with honors and then graduated from Newcomb College. After graduating from Newcomb, Martha married Robert M. “Bob” McHale and moved to Lake Charles where Bob served in the U.S. Air Force at Chennault Air Force Base. During this time, Martha taught at Dolby Elementary School and worked for what was then known as the Louisiana State Welfare Department.

Martha was a born social worker and found the good in all people. She was generous with her time and active in Lake Charles with her children’s schools and activities. Among many roles, Martha served as President of the Enterprise Club and enjoyed being part of the Krewe of Mystique. Martha was also active in politics and worked hard for candidates and causes she believed in. Martha supported the Lake Charles Ballet Society and Lake Charles Civic Symphony and played a significant hands-on role, even painting walls with her husband Bob, in restoring the Arcade Theatre in downtown Lake Charles. She was heartbroken when the Arcade was lost in a fire in 1985. Always looking to serve others in a deeper way, Martha proudly obtained a nursing degree from McNeese while her children were in high school and went on to work as a Registered Nurse primarily assisting seniors in care facilities.

Martha was a caring and loving friend to many. In recent years, she and close friend Sue Watson spent a great deal of time together including having weekly Friday lunches. Martha, Sue and their good friend Sue Vaughn presided as senior members of an extraordinarily diverse and interesting book club.

Martha loved being with her grandchildren and had the good fortune to live with her son Michael and grandchildren Mac and Jack in Lake Charles. Martha played a huge role in Mac and Jack’s young lives. Martha loved animals and the Houston Astros after initially supporting the Houston Colt 45(s). She spent many summers in Del Mar, California where she was a regular at the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club. Her interests were broad, even becoming well versed in the sport of sumo wrestling while spending time in Japan.

Martha was preceded in death by her husband, Robert M. McHale, her parents, William Wilchia Armistead and Lillian Willis Armistead; maternal grandparents, Dr. James Clinton Willis, Sr., co-founder of Willis-Knighton Hospitals in Shreveport, La, and Martha Elizabeth Taylor Willis; paternal grandparents, William Wilchia Armistead and Rachel Theus Armistead (Cabin Pointe Plantation, Armistead, La); brothers, Dr. Charles W. Armistead, Dr. William Wilchia Armistead, Jr., Dr. Theus Nicholson "Nooks" Armistead, Jonathon Perry Armistead, Jerry Taylor Armistead, and Richard Winston Armistead.

Martha is survived by her children, John F. McHale of Seattle, WA (Marcie), Rachel McHale Feder of Los Angeles, CA (Lenny) and R. Michael McHale of Lake Charles grandchildren; Madeline, Claire and Sam McHale, Zac Picard, Mac and Jack McHale and Julian Feder and great grandchildren, Liza and Charlie Picard.

The family would like to thank Ms. Jamie Rhodes for her care and friendship, Dr. Sandra Bruno for her care and candor, and the staff of Grand Cove who assisted Martha in her last days.

A Celebration of her life will be scheduled at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the McNeese Foundation in Martha’s name for the College of Nursing Scholarship. Memorial donations may be made by a check made payable to the McNeese Foundation and mailed to Box 91989, Lake Charles, LA 70609 or online at https://mcneesefoundation.org/giving-form/