Johnnie Camp Taylor

Johnnie Camp Taylor, 81 Springfield, Arkansas, formerly North Little Rock died on January 15, 2025. Johnnie was a long-time Executive Director of Goodwill Industries of Arkansas. Johnnie was born August 31, 1943, on the family farm, Johnstown. East of Newport in the Cache River bottoms. Johnnie was a 1961 honor graduate of Newport High School. She received academic scholarships and was able to obtain her BSE degree in three years at UCA in 1964. She later received an MSE degree in Special Education in 1967 from UCA. Johnnie began her work as an Extension Home Economist in Okmulgee, Oklahoma. Returning to Arkansas in 1965, she accepted a job in the developing field of Special Education. She was one of the first two elementary Special Education teachers in the large Pulaski County School District. In such a new field, Johnnie relied upon her formative experiences in a two-room school house and her 4-H Club and Girl Scout experiences. In the fall of 1968, the State of Arkansas began a new Special Education program for High School students. Johnnie was asked to participate and developed her program in the North Little Rock School District which became a model Vocational program for the State. Some of the students that she placed on jobs remained in those jobs for more than 30 years. She has been credited with altering the life path of many students who were destined for failure. Johnnie obtained a staff position with Pulaski Technical College and became affiliated with Goodwill Industries in an effort to expand their vocational placement program. This led to Johnnie becoming the voice of Goodwill in Arkansas. In 1981, she was unexpectedly thrust into the position of Executive Director of Arkansas Goodwill where she remained until her retirement. During these years she developed the programs and the financial stability to enable Goodwill to become the successful model that Goodwill in Arkansas is today. Johnnie received state and National recognition for work in the non-profit arena. Savvy Magazine, a New York publication named her as one of the top twelve women executives in the non-profit sector in the United States Johnnie was also proud to have been selected along with Scotty Pippin to be featured in a promotion and recruitment brochure for UCA. In retirement, Johnnie and Larry enjoyed many years of travel in their small motor home. Eventually, they traveled to every state and to Europe. Johnnie became a tournament poker player and enjoyed playing cards across the country. Honorary pallbearers are her two local poker clubs. Johnnie is survived by J. Larry Taylor, her husband of 60 years, two nephews and bonus son, Eric Camp of Searcy. Johnnie was preceded in death by her son John Larry Taylor Jr. her parents, J H and Alice Camp and two sisters, Martha and Anna. A round table memorial service will be held at 1:00 p.m. Wednesday, January 29, at Harris Funeral Home. Arrangements are by Harris Funeral Home of Morrilton. Internment of ashes will be at Johnstown Memory Gardens and Springfield Cemetery at a later date. In lieu of flowers the family requests contributions be made to Goodwill Industries of Arkansas.

Johnnie Camp Taylor

August 31, 1943 - January 15, 2025