HCS social worker, advocate dies at 84

Hardin County this week lost a respected woman who fought for the rights of children and women.

Llewellyn

Charley Nell Llewellyn, 84, died Monday at Helmwood Healthcare in Elizabethtown. Llewellyn, originally from Alabama, was a much-recognized social worker for Hardin County Schools, an avid proponent of women’s rights and a member of many local organizations.

After working as a social worker in other states, she moved to Elizabethtown in 1965 and later began working with HCS. Before her retirement in 1987, she was named Social Worker of the Year by the Kentucky chapter of the National Association of Social Workers and Kentucky School Social Worker of the Year.

Carol Cantwell worked with Llewellyn at HCS.

“She was a mentor and a real good friend to me,” Cantwell said.

Llewellyn was a model in her profession for social workers across the state, Cantwell said. She “connected so well to families.”

Cantwell said Llewellyn also wasn’t afraid to share her opinions with others.

“She was someone who could disagree but wasn’t disagreeable,” she said.

Denny Duggins also worked with Llewellyn in the school system. He remembered her as an “outstanding” person.

“She was one of the most dedicated, compassionate people who worked with children,” Duggins said.

Llewellyn also spent much of her time fighting for women’s rights, including campaigning for the passage of the Equal Rights Amendment. She was on the steering committee for Kentucky Pro-ERA Alliance. In 1981, she was named Kentucky Member of the Year by the National Organization for Women.

Betty Hilliard spent time with Llewellyn in the League of Women Voters. Hilliard said it was important to Llewellyn that new generations knew of the sacrifices made for the rights they had.

A graveside service for Llewellyn will take place sometime after Thanksgiving. The arrangements are being handled by Brown Funeral Home.

Kelly Cantrall can be reached at (270) 505-1747 or kcantrall@thenewsenterprise.com.