In Memory of

Janice

Clinedinst

Fennell

Armstrong

Obituary for Janice Clinedinst Fennell Armstrong

Janice Clinedinst Fennell Armstrong, born Saturday, June 29, 1940, passed away on Wednesday, January 10, 2018, after a long illness. She was living in Davidson, N.C. at the time of her death.

A native of Salem, Va., Janice was the daughter of the late Oris M. and LaVerne H. Clinedinst.

Apart from a year in Joplin, Mo., Janice grew up in Salem, attended the public schools of the city, and graduated from Andrew Lewis High School. She earned an undergraduate degree in history and library science from James Madison University and served as a librarian in the public schools of Roanoke County before moving to Hollywood, Fla. She earned a master’s degree in library science from Florida State University, moved to Athens, Ga. to pursue a second masters and ultimately returned to Orlando, Fla. with her first husband, Delmer Fennell. The Fennells had one child, Shannon, born in 1973. After the passing of Mr. Fennell, Janice returned to Florida State, earning her doctorate in library science in 1978. She then served as the Director of the Library at Georgia College and State University (1978-1995) in Milledgeville, Ga. where she also taught graduate courses in library science. While in Milledgeville, Dr. Fennell (Armstrong) met and married Thomas Field Armstrong who was on the history faculty at the college. In 1995, Janice joined her husband in Ft. Worth, Texas and served as the librarian and head researcher for the Fort Worth Star-Telegram (1995-2003). After the years in Fort Worth, the couple lived in Athens, Tennessee, and then divided time between Maggie Valley, N.C. and Davidson, N.C. in retirement.

Throughout her professional career, Janice Armstrong was active in community organizations including her church, library related organizations, and civic groups including AAUW and Kiwanis. She was also active professionally giving leadership to the librarians in the state of Georgia and serving on regional and national library boards.

Janice Armstrong is survived by her husband of nearly 35 years, Thomas Armstrong; her daughter, Shannon Plattner; her son-in-law, Karl Plattner; and three grandchildren, Jacob (15), Colby (13) and Halle (9).

The family will receive friends beginning at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, January 16, 2018, in the John M. Oakey & Son Chapel in Salem, Va. A funeral service will then begin at 11 a.m. with Chaplain Dave Vanderpool officiating. Interment will immediately follow at Sherwood Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, the Armstrong family asks that donations be made to the Maggie Valley United Methodist Church, the Russell Library of Georgia College and State University, or the Shriners’ Hospital for Children. Online condolences may be expressed at www.johnmoakey.com.