Jennie Dorsett died Saturday, February 26, 2011 in N. Myrtle Beach, SC. She was born March 28, 1951 at Mary Elizabeth Hospital in Raleigh to Harry K. and Margaret Lamb Dorsett. She graduated from Needham Broughton High School and earned a B.A. from the University of NC at Chapel Hill in 1973. After teaching school at Kingswood Elementary in Cary for 5 years, she returned to law school at UNC, receiving her Juris Doctorate degree in 1981. From 1981-1984 she was an attorney for the Cumberland County Department of Social Services.
Jennie had a significant impact on the public policy of our state, serving the North Carolina General Assembly for more than 30 years first as an attorney in the General Research Division, where she staffed several judiciary committees, and then as a lobbyist. While a legislative attorney, Jennie worked with then Superior Court Judge Tom Ross to reform our state’s sentencing policies for criminal cases. This work led to the adoption of NC’s structured sentencing laws, which became a national model. After her service as a legislative attorney, Jennie worked with the law firm Zebulon D. Alley, PA, and then had her own successful lobbying, law and consulting business. Jennie was consistently ranked as one of the top lobbyists at the General Assembly, voted as one of the 50 most effective (out of 600-800 registered lobbyists) by her colleagues, legislators and the State Capitol Press Corps. She was well-respected and trusted throughout state government – by Republicans and Democrats, the legislative leadership and legislators of both political parties, and in the executive branch and state agencies. Jennie was honest, smart, thorough, candid and fair. She loyally represented many clients (and they returned that loyalty), including the North Carolina Association of Health Plans (for which she was both a lobbyist and Executive Director), ElectriCities of North Carolina, the North Carolina Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs, the North Carolina Athletic Trainers Association, the North Carolina Outdoor Advertising Association, and the North Carolina Wholesalers Association. Jennie was a consummate professional, and above and beyond that, a caring, kind, generous and compassionate person, with a warm and sharp sense of humor. She gave freely of her time as a volunteer for many charitable causes, including her beloved Optimist Club, for which she sold Christmas trees every December. She will be greatly missed by her many friends and colleagues.
Jennie was predeceased by her father and younger sister Helen Dorsett. She is survived by her mother, Margaret L. Dorsett of Tolarsvile, NC; two brothers, Harry K. Jr. (Bubba) and Ronald L. Dorsett of Raleigh; her aunt Mrs. Dorothy L. Jackson of Buies Creek; and numerous cousins.
Memorial Services will be held for Jennie at 2 pm on Thursday, March 3, 2011 at Brown-Wynne Funeral Home, 1701 E. Millbrook Rd., Raleigh, 27609. Family will receive friends on Wed., March 2, 2011 from 7-9 pm at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be given in Jennie’s honor to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Raleigh, the Optimist Club or a charity of your choice.
Jennie was a gracious hostess who enjoyed entertaining, dancing, traveling, and especially the beach and S.O.S., and was an avid Tarheel fan. She had recently re-kindled a passion for golf (which would have delighted her late father.) Jennie was a caring and generous soul who touched many lives beyond her circle of acquaintances and relatives. Condolences may be sent the family at www.brownwynne.com.
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