Judy Armstrong Carmichael was born in Marion and has since been a devoted resident for 75 years this October (2019). After graduating from Marion High School, she became a licensed Activities Director for Brandner Village which later became Miller’s Merry Manor. She then began a career in the public sector as Grant County Auditor, and also served as an elected official on the Grant County Council.
Carmichael has a longstanding history of serving the community through volunteering, mainly with her neighborhood association. With encouragement and assistance from the City of Marion and her church, 8th Street Wesleyan, Carmichael established the West Point Neighborhood Association in late 2007. She has served as their president to present date, and has led the coordination of neighborhood dinners, cleanups, meetings, and more. Carmichael was influential in the cleanup of the property that once served the Marion Malleable Foundry before it closed back in 1977. The West Point Neighborhood Association has since worked closely with the City of Marion to ensure private property and city right-of-way concerns are being addressed efficiently. The enthusiasm the West Point community shows is infectious due largely to Carmichael’s drive and creativity. On September 28th, 2019, the neighborhood held a cleanup, with a parade the preceding week. An MFD fire truck with lights and sirens led a small procession of vehicles with folks handing out fliers to spread the word of the cleanup. The cleanup proved successful with lots of participation. Carmichael said she was inspired by a memory of when her mother would hold a parade for Bible school, and in turn, wanted to bring the same excitement she felt as a child.
Carmichael has also been a Girl Scout and Cub Scout leader, a softball coach through the Police Athletic League (PAL) Club, and has also served with the Rotary and Kiwanis Clubs of Marion.
Beyond dedication to her neighborhood, Carmichael donates time to 8th Street Wesleyan Church, bringing in many area churches for monthly Hymn Sings. She also devotes much of her time to her husband and family of three children, seven grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.