Armenda Kay Mandeville

Armenda Kay Mandeville née Vinson, was born on November 18, 1954 in Oklahoma City, OK. She passed away on October 28, 2020 after a three year struggle with early onset dementia.

She is survived by her daughter Deahanna Hernandez (son in law Eric Hernandez), her three grandsons Michael Bradley, Rafael Andrés, and Daniel Felix, and her brothers, James and John Vinson, along with numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. Armenda was preceded in death by her husband, Bradley Mandeville, her sister Viola Vinson, her aunt Connie Hershey (Davis), and her parents, James and Arlene Vinson (Davis).

She graduated from South Kitsap High School in 1973 and went on to begin nursing school with the goal of achieving her RN and following her dreams of providing geriatric care. Unfortunately, she became ill and was unable to finish the program. Shortly after, she became engaged to her High School sweetheart, Brad Mandeville, and got married in 1976, thus beginning her life as a military spouse. Armenda devoted her early married years to being a wonderful mother and devoted wife. She was a talented seamstress and made beautiful cross-stitch projects. She was a relatively good cook, but would tell you she’d rather be crafting. She loved to bake and decorated some amazing cakes in her time. She made our home a wonderful and happy place to live, full of fun projects and beautiful handcrafted things. She was my Girl Scout Leader for five years and all the girls loved Mrs Mandeville’s sarcastic sense of humor. She never forgot her love of nursing and was finally able to go back to school and train to become a Certified Medical Assistant in 1989. She was valedictorian of her class and was a calming presence to many patients in the sixteen years she was able to serve. Including her future son-in-law, whose hand she held during a minor surgical procedure when he was 15. She was a born caregiver and nurturer. She also had a keen intellect and a biting wit. She could zing you with a surprising rejoinder, sarcastic comeback, or the occasional dirty innuendo and walk away laughing while you were left wondering what just happened. She embraced her son in law with open arms and made him her son. The arrival of her grandsons brought new joy to her life. She used to say that while she enjoyed being a sister, wife, and mother...she was born to be a grandmother. Dementia robbed her, and her grandsons, of that joy far too early. Armenda was a force to be reckoned with and yet, a caring and compassionate woman to be friends with. She overcame more obstacles than any one person should have had to deal with and she came out of them stronger and braver than anyone I know. She loved deeply and is loved deeply in return. She will be missed greatly by all who knew her.


*Due to Covid-19 and the current restrictions, we will not be holding a service at this time. Not only do the current restrictions prevent us from giving Mom the memorial service she deserves, but I have visions of ‘nurse Armenda’ smacking the back of my head for holding a service for her while a pandemic was going on. I will let everyone know when we are able to schedule a service. Thank you ...Love, Deahanna Hernandez