July 2013
Johnnie Linebaugh, L12971, who served as national secretary and first lady of FMCA during the 1980s and early 1990s, passed away on April 11, 2013, in Jupiter, Florida. She was 92.
Johnnie Atkins was born September 4, 1920, in Jackson, Tennessee. She attended Jackson High School and graduated from Union University. She met John Linebaugh while he was stationed in Jackson training to be a pilot in the Army Air Corps. They married June 28, 1942, and the couple had three children. Together with her husband and brother-in-law, Johnnie helped start The Camera Shop and Mid-State Photo Labs in Jacksonville, Illinois. The couple also once had franchise holdings in four hotels located in Ohio, Illinois, and Florida.
The Linebaugh family enjoyed camping and started RVing in travel trailers. Eventually, they purchased a motorhome and joined FMCA in 1974. John and Johnnie were instrumental in the formation of the Revconeers chapter, which received its charter in July 1977. That began their involvement in the governing and organizational side of FMCA. John went on to serve as national vice president, Midwest Area, in 1980-81, and was elected FMCA national president in 1981. He was re-elected in 1982 and 1983 but died suddenly on November 8, 1983, before finishing his final term.
While many spouses in Johnnie’s situation may have drifted away from FMCA, she became more involved. She sold the 35-foot Barth diesel pusher the couple had been traveling in and downsized to a 32-foot Revcon with a Honda Accord in tow. Johnnie continued to attend rallies and remained active with the close friends she and John had made through the years. She was selected to sit on the FMCA President’s Council in 1984-85, and served on the Nominating Committee in 1986-87. Beginning in 1987, she served five consecutive one-year terms as FMCA’s national secretary.
Johnnie is survived by her daughters Joann Hughes and Janet (Herbert) Hallett, and son Bob (Christine) Linebaugh; seven grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren. A gravesite memorial service was scheduled for June 25 in Jacksonville, Illinois, and an offshore service was planned for July 3 in Marathon, Florida. Those wishing to attend either service should contact Bob Linebaugh at (561) 309-4680 for additional information. Memorials can be made in Johnnie’s name to the Hospice of Palm Beach County Foundation, 5300 East Ave., West Palm Beach, FL 33407; (877) 494-6890; www.hpbcf.org.