Crichton J. Armstrong

Crichton J. Armstrong (nee Betty Crichton Jones), a public administrator on the state and national levels, beloved professor, real estate entrepreneur, community activist, mystery series heroine, and loyal friend, died September 8, 2005, at her home in Richmond. She was 60. Ms. Armstrong, born October 24, 1944, was the daughter of Waverly Crichton and Mildred Hailey Jones. She was graduated from Douglas Freeman High School in 1962 and Hollins College in 1966. She held a master's degree from the London School of Economics and did post-graduate work at the University of Virginia. Ms. Armstrong was one of the first female professional staff members on Capitol Hill, where she worked for the U.S. Senate and the Library of Congress. She had been a District of Columbia government urban planner. In Richmond, she held a number of positions in Virginia state government, including chief executive planner for the Office of the Secretary of Human Resources in the Governor's Cabinet. In 1977, she left state government to become a professor in the Graduate School of Public Administration at Virginia Commonwealth University. Several years later she founded Jones-Armstrong Associates, a real estate investment and property management firm. She served with a variety of community organizations, most concerned with public safety. She also was the heroine of a series of mystery novels written by Charles A. Goodrum, a former director of research for the Library of Congress. As a professor and a public servant, she taught by example. She brought to her students and her colleagues a profound intellect; the courage to speak truth to power; the need for active citizenship and the pursuit of truth uncontaminated by partisan distortion. Her beliefs and values inspired her students and friends in their careers and in their lives. As a property owner and manager, Ms. Armstrong provided affordable and well-maintained housing in the Oregon Hill and Museum District neighborhoods. She was respected and well liked by her tenants, who valued her sense of fairness and concern for their well being. As a friend and family member, Ms. Armstrong modeled living boldly, taking risks and realizing that the things that truly matter in life are at bottom, very simple. Her legacy includes the impact of her commanding presence, sense of personal integrity, brilliant mind, and huge heart. She leaves behind her cousin, Evelyn "Bootie" Levine of Silver Spring, Maryland; an aunt, Mrs. Louise Peacher of Hilton Head, S.C.; and cousins, Shirley Jennings and Richard Ward of Richmond; a close family of friends, including Linda Mays, friend of 30 years; and her beloved cats, Sophie and Tuffie. She will be missed. A private celebration of her life will be held at a later date. Memorial gifts may be made to the Humane Society of Richmond, 2519 Hermitage Rd., Richmond, Va. 23220; to www.Petfinder.com, an organization reuniting pets and families lost in Hurricane Katrina; or to a charity of your choice.