Joycelyn Johnson, former Winston-Salem councilwoman, has died

Joycelyn Johnson, a longtime elected member of Winston-Salem's city government, has died. 

Johnson served four terms on the City Council, from 1993 to 2009.

Mayor Allen Joines says Johnson brought a sense of humor to the council and was gentle by nature but could be a fierce fighter for her East Ward.

“She was very insistent on good, solid public service and at the same time making sure we treated our employees fairly — particularly our sanitation workers — to make sure they had as good of working conditions as possible,” Joines says.

Joines says Johnson also pushed for better housing in her community.

Joycelyn Johnson ran for a fifth term but lost to Derwin Montgomery, who would later move on to the state House. The East Ward seat is currently held by Annette Scippio.

Joines announced Johnson's death during a council meeting Tuesday, saying she had died earlier that day.