Johnnie Pugh

JOHNNIE BEATRICE NEWTON-PUGH was born on October 1, 1926 in Snyder, AR to Moses (Mote) Newton and Odessa Newton. She was raised by her Aunt Mannie Phillips. Johnnie departed this life on July 13, 2025.

She accepted Christ at a young age at Mount Olive Baptist Church in Warren, AR. She later joined Holy Cross Missionary Baptist Church where she was a faithful member until her health began to fail.

Johnnie was a retired Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) from the Veterans Administration Hospital at Fort Roots. In 1953 she became the first woman to drive a school bus in Ashley County. May 26, 1958 Johnnie graduated from T. W. Daniels High School and shortly afterwards she relocated to Little Rock to attend nursing school.

Johnnie received many awards from secular and religious organizations. She was Past Worthy Matron of Shamrock Trinity Star Chapter #425, OES, PHA; Past Most Ancient Matron of Keystone Court #4 Heroines of Jericho, PHA; Past Grand Most Ancient Matron of The Most Ancient Grand Court, Heroines of Jericho, PHA; a Charter member of Little Rock Guild #2, Heroines of the Templar Crusades, PHA; a member of Sylvia Harris Assembly #76, Order of the Golden Circle, PHA and a member of Mohammed Court #39, Daughters, PHA. Johnnie served as Budget /Finance chairperson of the General Conference of Grand Courts, Heroines of Jericho, PHA (National Body). Johnnie was elected to Little Rock City Board of Directors in 1998 after which she proudly served two consecutive four-year terms of Ward 1.

Johnnie was a pioneer in community organizing advocacy and activism and was instrumental in building one of the first multiracial social organizations in Arkansas. She was a nurse, a business woman and an Arkansas New Pioneer of Community Organization for Reform Now (ACORN).

Preceding her in death were her parents, her sister Leslie Ann Pearl, son-in-love, Danny Conner, special cousins T. J. Phillips, Thomas Phillips, Faustine Wamble, Vivian Phillips and John Glenn.

Johnnie is survived by her daughter Carolyn Pugh-Conner, granddaughters Tina Blair (Tim) and Sheretta Conner, Goddaughter Delora Walker, Great Grandchildren Requel Singleton, Asia Fletcher, Kennedi Johnson, Kaitlynn Johnson and Kody Johnson. God Granddaughters Marie Graham, Chenell Herndon and Latasha Baker, Great Great Grandchildren Damir Dobbins, Jade Fletcher, Desi, Samira &Kaylee Blair, Jacdyn Berry and Jurzic Spikes, Special niece Barbara Caffey, Special Cousin Gloria Nelson, Shirley Phillips, Ellis Phillips and David Glenn, special extended famiies included Prides, Nelsons, Birts, Jacksons, Harrisons, Udells, Fullers, Andrews, McCalls, James, Perrys, Coburns, Millers, Canadys as well as many other families and friends.