By AFRO Staff
Funeral arrangements have now been announced for longtime Baltimore City Board of Elections Director Armstead Bernard Crawley Jones Sr.
A viewing will take place on April 11 from 3 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Saint Paul Baptist Church of Baltimore City, located at 3101 The Alameda. A celebration of life will begin at 10:30 a.m. on April 12 , immediately after the family hour, which will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
Jones became the elections director in August 2007. In a press release from the Maryland State Board of Elections, dated April 3, Jones announced his retirement and spoke on his time in the role.
“Serving as Director of the Board of Elections in Baltimore for 18 years was an honor and a responsibility I never took lightly,” Jones said in the statement. “I’m deeply grateful to the people of this city for trusting me to protect their voice and help shape a more accessible, transparent, and fair democratic process.”
Jones expected to leave the position on May 1. Sadly, he died at age 71 before he could enjoy a well-deserved retirement.
The April 5 death triggered an outpouring of condolences and support for Jones’ loved ones.
“I have Director Armstead Jones’ family in my prayers. He has been a part of the election process for over 30 years,” said former Baltimore City Mayor Sheila Dixon. “His ability to work through so many different systems as it relates to election processes [was] commendable and transformative for the City of Baltimore.”
Former Baltimore City Mayor Jack Young also spoke with the AFRO about Jones’ transition.
“What a great man,” said Young. “Armstead Jones led the board with integrity. He was a personal friend and confidant.”
Young said he believed the work Jones did as director of the Baltimore City Board of Elections, “will speak for him.”
“I thank his family for sharing him with us,” he said.
Comptroller Joan Pratt, said that “Director Armstead Jones was representative of what a public servant should be.”
“He was honest and fair,” she said. “During his years of service, he was always reliable and never had an unkind word. Armstead Jones served Baltimore City well and made us all proud. My blessings are with his family,” said Pratt.
For decades Jones was a source of reliable information for AFRO reporters, looking to get accurate details about upcoming elections, voter registration requirements and election results. He never hesitated to give an interview or answer questions related to voting in Baltimore City.
“Armstead Jones was an old school friend and real soldier who loved his job and cherished his City,” said Congressman Kweisi Mfume (D-Md.-07). “With God’s grace and power now, rest in peace AJ.”
Ms. Catherine Pugh contributed to this article.