Grid's oldest substation named for superintendent

The City of Holly Springs officially renamed the power grid’s oldest substation on July 11 to honor a 90-year-old utility superintendent who has spent more than six decades serving his hometown.

During a special dedication ceremony on Neely Road, the facility was officially renamed the George N. Humphreys Substation to mark his 67 years of service to the Holly Springs Utility Department.

Humphreys, the longest-serving employee in the department, was celebrated by local officials, current and former coworkers, friends, and family, including Barbara, his wife of 32 years. Attendees included Mayor Charles Terry, Ward 1 Alderman Sandra Hodges, Alderman-at-Large Dexter Shipp, and Alderman Jim Moore.

“His dedication to the HSUD—his heart is in it,” Terry said. “Every bit of his body and soul is in it. He is HSUD. What we did with the dedication was just try to give him something to recognize him while he was able to see it and be a part of it.”

Humphreys began his career with the department in 1953 as a groundman, performing manual labor such as cutting right-of-way, digging post holes, and stringing wire. After serving a stint in the U.S. Marine Corps, he returned to the utility on the first day of 1959.

Though initially rehired as a warehouseman, Humphreys quickly shifted back to the line crew, gaining experience and learning the trade from senior colleagues. Over the decades, he rose through the ranks to become superintendent.

Today, Humphreys works primarily from the office, directing daily work, managing line crews, and assisting customers.

“I thought it was a nice honor,” Humphreys said of the dedication. “Didn’t really care about the publicity, but I thought it was nice of the mayor to come up with that decision.”

At 90 years old, Humphreys noted that while he performs very little manual labor now, he has no immediate plans to retire.

“I guess I’ll just take it as it comes along and see, unless they run me off,” Humphreys said.

Terry described Humphreys as “a brick in the brick and mortar” of the department. Because the utility’s main building was already named after a former manager, city officials decided renaming the grid’s oldest substation was a fitting tribute for the department’s longest-tenured employee. The decision was finalized after discussions with department staff, including Bonnie Nunnally, confirmed the sentiment.

Humphreys, who has lived a block off the town square on Golden Avenue for 52 years, said his motivation to continue working stems from a simple affection for his community.

“It’s home,” Humphreys said. “That’s a basic thing. I have no problem with it.”