KINGS MOUNTAIN, N.C.,None — Mary Alice Armstrong spent 11 years serving customers, reaching out to people and touching lives through her business, the Cup and Saucer Tea Room.
After being struck and killed by a truck less than two weeks ago, the Kings Mountain tea room will be closing its doors for good.
People who call the restaurant will get a voice recorded message from her son, Scott Mann, who identifies himself as Armstrong's "baby boy."
"She went to be with the Lord this morning so the Cup & Saucer Tea Room will not be open anymore," he said. "My mom loved each one of you dearly."
Mann requested prayers for the family and for the man, George Burgess, 56, who was driving the truck.
N.C. Highway Patrol Trooper Scott Meade said Burgess will not be charged.
Burgess was driving his Chevrolet truck down Kiser Road on his way to a relative's house the morning of the incident. He told Meade that he saw Armstrong and he thought she saw him. When the woman stepped into the street, he swerved to miss her, but the left rear side of the truck slammed into Armstrong.
She was killed immediately.
Armstrong, 74, was described as a person who was full of life, someone who reached out to the community to help those in need.
According to the Cup and Saucer's Facebook page, a celebration of life service was held Wednesday
Many people left comments on the page expressing their condolences and what she meant to them.
"You will be remembered for so many good things, not the least of which is your wonderful cooking and friendly ways and smiling face," wrote Jenny Clapp.
"Alice was so special to us," wrote Emily Eaker Beam. "I'm thankful we were able to make it by and visit with her, I will hold that last memory in my heart forever."
The messages continued.
"Alice will be terribly missed in our community, town, and our lives," wrote Jada McDaniel on Facebook. "I can't help think about how excited it must have been to enter those pearly gates. We lost a wonderful warrior of Christ, but heaven gained a faithful daughter."
Armstrong had opened the restaurant in 2001 after retiring from John Deere.
According to her family, sitting at home wasn't enough activity for her.
"She worked every day at 74 years old," said Armstrong's neighbor, Michelle Brockman.
The tea room, located in a historic building in Kings Mountain, offered sandwiches, soups, tea, coffee as well as evening parties and bridal luncheons.
Mann ended his voice message with a thank you.
"God bless you," he said. "Thank you for letting my mama serve you."
WSOC
