LICK CREEK — Julia Johnson never has been more surprised.

Johnson, who is the executive director of the Boone County Housing

and Redevelopment Authority, knew Gov. Joe Manchin III was visiting

her facility to honor someone.

She didn’t know it was her, however.

Manchin presented Johnson, whose nickname is Judy, with a

Distinguished West Virginian award one week ago today during a

ceremony in the picnic shelter behind the Lick Creek facility.

Dozens of friends and relatives gathered to honor Johnson, who took

control at Black Diamond Arbors in 1995.

Also in attendance were Ron Stollings, who is a Madison physician and

Boone County senator; Sue Ann Zickefoose, who is the Boone County

circuit clerk; Mickey Brown, who is the Boone County Commission

president; Rev. Terry Holley, who is the Madison Baptist Church

pastor; and Bill Cook, who is the Danville city manager.

Manchin started his speech by praising the people “who go above the

call of duty.”

He then referred to this quotation from Helen Keller, the world-

famous blind and deaf educator: Character cannot be developed in ease

and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the

soul be strengthened, ambition inspired and success achieved.

“It means you have to do something,” Manchin told the crowd. “There

are doers among us.

“When you have a person who takes a job and has a passion to do it

better than it has ever been done before and doesn’t worry about

their starting and quitting time and doesn’t worry about their

paycheck but continues to give of themselves, then we want to stop

and say thank you and be able to give that person special recognition.

“It’s ordinary people doing extraordinary things everyday. There’s

nothing special about any of us. There’s only the special things that

we do to make life better for others. When you have someone who has

done that all of their lives, it’s who they are. It’s their fabric.

It’s not something they do because of their job. It’s something they

live with every minute of the day.”

Manchin then turned toward Johnson, who had no idea what was coming.

“It is my pleasure to come here today to say thank you, Judy,” he

said. “This is your day.”

The look on her face - one of absolute surprise - was priceless (“I’m

overwhelmed,” she said later). Her friends and relatives, many of

whom were in on the secret, cackled in delight.

“As governor of this state, the highest honor I can bestow upon a

citizen of this state is the Distinguished West Virginian award,”

Manchin said, continuing the presentation.

“It is my honor to be able to present the Distinguished West

Virginian award to Julia ‘Judy’ Johnson for outstanding achievement

in meritorious service.

“The state of West Virginia hereby recognizes your exceptional

accomplishments and confers its nomination in your name.”

The talkative and amiable Johnson replaced Manchin at the podium and

addressed the crowd.

“I came here to honor Ron Stollings today,” she said with a laugh.

“But I appreciate this. I have been here 24 years, and I would like

to hang out a little longer. I have enjoyed every day of it, and I

love everybody here.”

This is Johnson’s 25th year with the agency.

“Judy works hard everyday,” Zickefoose said. “She has a position, but

she’s on the job. She works well with the staff. She gives them free

reign to do her job.

“She’s caring. She helps people who really need a home get in here.

She loves everybody. Her motherly touch is what makes her so

successful.”

Black Diamond Arbors public housing manager Kathy Workman, whom

Johnson calls her right-hand-woman, agreed.

“Judy is just down to earth,” Workman said. “She loves everyone. She

has that mother’s instinct. She has a good relationship with

everyone, from the staff to the residents.”

Black Diamond Arbors has won “cleanest” and “safest” awards at state

and national conventions. It also has received recognition for its

affordability.

“All of the residents call this a nice place to call a home,”

Zickefoose said.

Attribute that to Johnson.

“She is able to meet all of the criteria for federal funding and she

is able to bring that money in here, which allows her to have upkeep

for things such carpeting and cabinets,” Zickefoose said.

When she was hired in 1982, Johnson was the authority’s only

employee. She received applications, conducted inspections and typed

rent checks, among other day-to-day activities.

When Black Diamond Arbors opened two years later, Johnson became its

manager. She maintained that position until she was promoted in 1995.

Interestingly enough, Johnson didn’t enter the work force until she

had been a wife and mother of six sons for 37 years. However, the

unexpected death of her husband forced her to find a job because her

youngest son was entering college that year.

Stollings said he spent enough time at Johnson’s house to be

considered her “seventh son.” He credits her for helping him become

the man he is today.

“Whoever Judy had an impact on turned out pretty good,” Stollings

said. “The proof’s in the pudding.”

Johnson is a board member for Boone County Community Action, Multi-

CAP, United Way and South Eastern Regional Commission for Housing.

She also is a lifetime member of the Parent-Teacher Association. She

has been a member of Madison Baptist Church for 50 years.

Johnson will turn 80 in October, but retirement isn’t in her

foreseeable future.

“She’s a 5-foot ball of fire,” Workman said. “She’s still going

strong. She fights for all of the right causes and people.”

Contact Managing Editor Jacob Messer at

jacobmesser@coalvalleynews.com or 369-1165.