Elaine Hubbard, Advocate For Preserving Woodstock's History, Dies at 66

WOODSTOCK, GA -- The Woodstock community is mourning the loss of a lifelong resident who spent years working to preserve the charm and character of the city.

Elaine Hubbard passed away Friday, Nov. 18, according to her obituary. She was 66 years old.

Hubbard was a current member of the Sequoyah Regional Library's Cherokee County Board of Trustees, representing the city of Woodstock. She also served on the library system's regional board, which is made up of appointments from Cherokee, Pickens and Gilmer counties.

She was also the founding member of the former Woodstock Centennial Commission, now known as Preservation Woodstock.

Woodstock Mayor Donnie Henriques learned of Hubbard's passing on Facebook.

"To me, she was an icon of Woodstock," said Mayor Donnie Henriques, adding Elaine Hubbard comes from a family that worked to ensure Woodstock's heritage would be preserved for future generations to enjoy.

Her father, the late Glenn Hubbard, received Preservation Woodstock's Barbara Ingram Citizen of the Year Award in 1999 for his work in the community. In July, her mother, Marjorie Hubbard, was honored as Reinhardt University's oldest alumna when she turned 100.

Henriques said Hubbard "picked up the mantle" of community work after her father's passing. While the city continued to change rapidly in front of her eyes, Henriques said Hubbard remained a big "promoter" of Woodstock.

“It’s a big loss for the community," he added.

Kyle Bennett, the city of Woodstock's director of tourism, agreed. Bennett said it was a wonderful pleasure to get to work with and know Hubbard. He added that Hubbard's quest to preserve the city's history was one that can only be described as inspiring.

"Her passion for Woodstock was quickly evident to anyone who got the chance to work with her," he added.

According to her obituary, Hubbard was born March 19, 1950, in Canton. She graduated from Cherokee High School as valedictorian and attended the former Kennesaw Junior College. She earned her doctorate in mathematics from Georgia Tech and served as a math professor at Kennesaw.

She received KSU's Distinguished Teaching Award in 2001. She later retired from teaching in 2003. In 2009, she was also given the Citizen of the Year Award. Her obituary also states she co-wrote 13 math textbooks.

Along with the library system and Preservation Woodstock, Hubbard also was a founding member of the Hightower Trail Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution and was a member of the Cherokee County Historical Society.

Her passion for the county's libraries was also as obvious as her love for Woodstock.

Anita Summers, director of the Sequoyah Regional Library System, said Hubbard also served on both boards as chairperson for many years. Hubbard was one of the most active and supportive board members she has ever worked with, the library director stated.

"She loved the library very much and always had its best interests in mind," Summers added. "Her support, counsel, and guidance will be greatly missed."

Scott Rule, the current chairman for both the regional and county boards, said his service as chairman is set to expire June 30, 2017. He had been eyeing Hubbard as a possible candidate to replace him until he heard the news of Hubbard's passing.

“It was shocking because I didn’t know she was battling that situation at all," he said. Rule said he served alongside Hubbard since 2007, and said he was impressed with her service to the city as well as the county.

Hubbard was also willing to accompany Summers, former Library Director Susan White and other former library directors to city council or county commission meetings to help answer any library-related questions.

Rule stated Hubbard would have been a "natural" choice to serve as his successor.

"The board would have been in good hands if she was still here," he said.

For Woodstock City Historian Juanita Hughes, Hubbard's passing means the loss of a personal friend. Along with their work with Preservation Woodstock, the library system and the Cherokee County Historical Society, both women had common interest, including Trivial Pursuit games and jigsaw puzzles.

Hughes, the retired branch manager for the Woodstock Public Library, stated Hubbard was also known by many residents as a poll worker at the library during elections.

"She was our walking buddy for many years, so we covered quite a few miles over three or more decades," Hughes said, adding their friendship remain steadfast following the death of her husband, Homer, two years ago.

Image Woodstock Funeral Home