Using this thread,
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=5318363.0, I was finally able to figure out how to circumvent the "Armory failed to spawn the DB!" and get Armory properly online, only to learn that my balance is zero. Pfft.
I knew that a zero balance was a possibility. The end of 2014 was hard time for us and I really couldn't remember how far in the process I had gotten. Bitcoin was only $343 back then. Sigh.
Everyone's help is truly appreciated.
If Armory and Bitcoin Core 's downloaded blockchain aren't up to date with whenever you last made a transaction the balance shown won't be accurate. You were only at 25% a few hours ago so let it run unless it is very clear you had some and transferred it away in the transaction log.
Something to check before writing it off.