Johnsie Harriet Hudspeth, 59, of Elkin, passed away Friday, November 13, 2009 in Key Largo, Florida. She was born March 11, 1950 in Surry County to Andrew Daniel and Alice Louise Lawrence Hudspeth. Johnsie was owner and president of Century 21 Hudspeth Properties and a member of First Baptist Church of Elkin. She started at a young age being involved in her community and with helping others. During her high school and college summers, she served as Camp Counselor at YMCA Camps Cheerio and Elliott. After college, Johnsie served as a VISTA Volunteer with the VISTA Corp in Padukah, Kentucky and Greenville/Pitt County, North Carolina. She was employed by the NC Baptist Children Homes serving with the homes in Winston Salem and Pembroke. Johnsie served on the founding board of directors of the new chamber and worked diligently to bring Jonesville and Arlington together to form one organization. She also served on the organizing Economic Development Committee, served as the President of the Chamber from 1991-1992 and has served many terms on the Board of Directors. Johnsie was serving as Vice President of the Ambassadors Club former Presidents. She was a generous contributor to the Surry County Economic Development Partnership, and served as a Board member on the Membership Delegation from 1996-2000. Johnsie was the President of the Elkin-Jonesville Board of Realtors in 1999. From 2001-2007, she served as officer and member of the Board of Directors, Secretary of the Board, and also served on the Executive Committee. In 2009, Johnsie served as a member of the Board of Directors. She was a charter member of the Rotary Club and was currently serving as President. Johnsie was organizer and first Treasurer of the Tri County Christian Ministry, served on the Board of Directors, and was a generous contributor. She was a charter member and served on the Board of Directors of the Upper Yadkin Valley Habitat for Humanity. Elkin, Dobson, and Pilot Mountain were chosen by the NC Rural Center STEP Small Town Economic Prosperity as a STEP Cluster group, and Johnsie served as a project Board member. The group developed a working plan for the STEP Cluster in Surry County. She was actively involved in the Surry County Democratic Party and was on the Local Advisory Board for Branch Bank & Trust. Johnsie was preceded in death by her parents. Survivors include her sister, Dana Shepherd and husband David of Elkin; nephews, Andrew Shepherd of Raleigh, and William Shepherd of Boone; and niece, Alice Shepherd, of Greensboro; and partner, Gloria Lumpkin, of Elkin. Funeral services will be conducted Saturday, November 21, 2009 at 11:00 am in First Baptist Church of Elkin with Dr. Bill Johnson and Dr. David Hughes officiating. The family will receive friends on Friday evening from 6:00 to 9:00 pm at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to a charity or organization in which Johnsie participated. Farfield Inn of Elkin has generously offered a bereavement rate to those attending funeral services for Johnsie, located at 628 CC Camp Road, Elkin, NC 28621.
