FEATURE PAGE
October 3, 2019


Rick Childrey (left) presented the Frances Finch Hobart Award for Voluntary Community Service to Susan Lassiter (second from left), accompanied by Frankie Hobart, the award's namesake, and her husband John, the award's benefactor.

 Here are acccomplishments of this year's
Hobart Award winner: Susan Lassiter

Ricky Childrey, long-time president of the Smithfield-Selma Chamber of Commerce prior to his retirement three years ago, nominated Mrs. Lassiter for this year's Hobart Award. Here's the full text of his nomination statement:

Susan Lassiter has been a leader among volunteer and governmental organizations in Johnston County, North Carolina for over 40 years. Many, but certainly not all, of her activities and responsibilities include:

  • President, Smithfield Junior Woman’s Club, 1976

  • President, South Smithfield Primary School PTA, 1978

  • Chairman, Johnston County Chapter, N. C. Symphony Society, 1982-91

  • Member, Board of Directors (Publicity Chairman), Johnston County United Way, 1982-84

  • President, Greater Smithfield-Selma Area Chamber of Commerce, 1984

  • President, Downtown Smithfield Development Corporation, 1984-88

  • Member, Executive Committee, Fund-Raising Drive for the Paul A. Johnston Auditorium at Johnston Community College, 1984-88

  • Judge, Carolina Power & Light Company Scholarship Program, 1987-89

  • Publicity Chairman, Stewardship and Building Campaign, Centenary United Methodist Church of Smithfield, 1987 and 1990

  • Chairman, Building Project, the move and renovation of Smithfield’s historic Yelvington-Lee House by the Greater Smithfield-Selma Area Chamber of Commerce, 1987-89

  • Treasurer, Spartan Athletic Booster Club, Smithfield-Selma High School, 1988-89

  • Chairman, Paul A. Johnston Auditorium Board of Advisors, 1989-91

  • Council member, Town of Smithfield, 1985-1993

  • Secretary-Treasurer, Triangle J Council of Governments, 1988-89

  • Second Vice President, N. C. Women in Municipal Government, 1989

  • Second Vice Chairman, Triangle J Council of Governments, 1990-91

  • First Vice Chairman, Triangle J Council of Governments, 1991-92

  • Chairman, Triangle J Council of Governments, 1992-93

  • Member, Education Committee of Greater Smithfield-Selma Area Chamber of Commerce, 1995-present

  • Chair, Building Renovation Committee, Greater Smithfield-Selma Area Chamber of Commerce, 2008-2012

  • Chair, 40th Anniversary Committee, Greater Smithfield-Selma Area Chamber of Commerce, 2009-10

  • Organizer and leader of Concerned Citizens for Successful Schools, an informal committee of mostly Smithfield-Selma residents looking for ways to improve the academic outcomes of students attending local public schools, 2013-present

  • Former trustee and current Memorials Committee chair at Smithfield’s Centenary United Methodist Church, about 1995-present

  • Past member of Smithfield Rotary Club, about 1995-2005

  • Founder of the Johnston County YMCA, about 1994-1997

  • Past president of Habitat for Humanity of Johnston County

  • Past president of the Johnston County Arts Council

  • Member of a United Methodist committee that screens candidates for the ministry in the eastern half of North Carolina, 2017-present

  • Active member of the Down-to-Earth Garden Club, 1990-present

  • Recognitions include: Distinguished Service Award, presented by the Smithfield Jaycees, 1983; Citizen of the Year, presented by Greater Smithfield-Selma Area Chamber of Commerce, 1985; Leadership Award, presented by the State of North Carolina and N. C. Department of Natural Resources and Community Development, 1988; Chamber Athena Award, recognizing outstanding women in business and the professions, 1989; Distinguished Woman Award for Government, presented by the Johnston County Council on the Status of Women, 1991; Tar Heel of the Week, presented by The News & Observer, 1993; Honorary Life Membership, presented by the Greater Smithfield-Selma Area Chamber of Commerce, 2011.


Susan Lassiter has had a major impact on all of the organizations for which she volunteers. She is a dedicated member of any group, with thoughtful consideration of vision and goals, leading to outstanding work and accomplishments. As a committee, project, or board chair, I would describe her unique leadership skills as organizational stability. She prepares extensively for any meeting or project, softly but firmly delegates responsibilities, listens intently to every person involved, values people’s time, always makes sure that proper resources are available to complete a successful task, and provides copious notes and minutes, in a timely manner, as a follow-up after any meeting or project.


Over the last few decades, she has built a large network of contacts and associates for whom she can call for advice, assistance, and financial support. Susan’s communication and presentation skills are excellent as she engages people and is always willing to recognize others for their work. She is a community leader and a community servant.


Susan Lassiter, just like Frances Finch Hobart, deeply cares about her community. Susan grew up and raised her family in Smithfield, and she has always wanted to give back to the town through volunteering. Susan has a friendly and generous attitude about herself that makes anyone in her presence feel comfortable and inspired to work for the cause.


Susan Lassiter is determined and selfless. Her vision for the community has been and continues to be the development of a good quality of place for local citizens and workers.


In 1982, when Downtown Smithfield was in a state of decline, she was a leader in the creation of the Downtown Smithfield Development Corporation and served as its president for four years. Today, Ddowntown Smithfield is thriving, and its organization operates through a professional staff and active Board of Directors.


When the Chamber of Commerce needed a new building, Susan Lassiter truly wanted to make that goal a reality. She led a group of local business leaders into the development of a strategy to raise funds and coordinate the move and renovation of one of Smithfield’s most historic buildings, the Yelvington-Lee House, for an office and visitors center.


From 1985 to1993, Susan Lassiter saw needs throughout the town of Smithfield. She was elected to two terms on the Smithfield Town Council. She was the first women to serve on this elected body and always voted her conscience on what she felt was best for the town as a whole.


During the 1990s, when Johnston County was seeing tremendous growth, she was a founder of the Johnston County YMCA.


Today, while working as a Realtor in Johnston County, she volunteers tirelessly as the leader of Concerned Citizens for Successful Schools, an organization that looks at ways local citizens can work with school officials to improve academic achievement. Her vision is to ensure that all students in our county can achieve academic greatness.


The caring attributes of Frances Finch Hobart are definitely present in Susan Lassiter. Both of these fine women have made a tremendous commitment to improving the lives of citizens in Johnston County. I am very proud to nominate Susan Barnes Lassiter for the Frances Finch Hobart Award for Voluntary Community Service.