The H. Lavity Stoutt Community College has accepted a $35,916.39 donation from the estate of Alfrieda Mae "Gale" Johnston, a former Hodge's Creek resident who served in the United States Navy during World War II.
Johnston, born 21 June 1922, died on 17 November 2018 at age 96. She worked as a photographer and recruiter for the Navy and received an Honourable Discharge in November 1945. Her military contributions were recognised with the World War II Victory Medal and the American Area Campaign Medal.
Before her death, Johnston designated HLSCC as a beneficiary of an investment account managed by LPL Financial. The estate settlement and related legal procedures took several years to complete. In May 2026, five investment holdings were liquidated and the resulting funds transferred to the College, where they now sit with the HLSCC Foundation.
Dr Richard Georges, who leads HLSCC, said Johnston's decision to support the institution was particularly meaningful given she had no family ties to it. "This gift is a powerful reminder that a legacy of service can continue long after a person's lifetime," he said. He added that the donation demonstrates how one individual's confidence in education can create pathways for many others: "They remind us that education changes lives, that communities are strengthened through generosity, and that one person's belief in the future can create opportunities for countless others."
The College is seeking anyone with memories of Johnston or knowledge of her ties to Hodge's Creek and the Virgin Islands to come forward and share their recollections.
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