Mary McClafferty was one of Paintsville High School’s most beloved teachers. She taught history and civics to several generations of students and served as Senior Adviser for many years.

Martin, William C. - 5/20/17 –

Following his graduation from Paintsville High School William C. Martin was employed by Hercules Powder Company as an assistant maintenance engineer. He entered the U. S. Air Corps in 1943 and served as a radio operator and gunner in B-17

and C-47 planes of the famed 8^th Air Force. William graduated from Eastern Kentucky University and returned to Paintsville to join Tom Gullett in the radio, television and cable television business. Together they built the first television cable in Johnson County and one of the first ten cable systems in the nation in 1949. Prior to his retirement in 1970 William served as a director of First National Bank, Commander of the American Legion post and 20 years as deputy director of Johnson County’s civil defense organization. William also served on the Paintsville school board and Paintsville City Council.

Mayo, Alice Meek - 1877 - /195?

Alice Meek "Alka" Mayo, later Fetter, married John C. C. Mayo in 1897 and became a full active partner in his coal developing businesses. Alka, as she was popularly known, traveled by horseback and train with her husband throughout eastern Kentucky buying and leasing mineral rights. According to legend, she often traveled on such trips with as much as $10,000 in gold coins sewn into her full skirts. Upon her husband’s death in 1914, Mrs. Mayo moved to Ashland where she met and married Dr. S. P. Fetter. She remained active in the Mayo businesses, however, and in Paintsville’s civic, social and educational affairs until her death.

Mayo, John C. C. - 9/16/1864 – 5/11/14

John Calvin Calhoun Mayo was born in Gulnare, Pike County. His father, T. J. Mayo, moved the family to Johnson County in 1870 where they established a home in Paintsville. John C. C. attended subscription schools until his entrance into Kentucky Wesleyan College at Millersburg. Mayo was a teacher in Johnson County schools until his interest in geology brought him in touch with coal. Between 1890 and 1910 Mayo, and his tenacity in pursuit of a developed coal industry, was almost single-handedly responsible for the establishment of coal mines throughout the Big Sandy region, the coming of the railroad, the telephone and electricity. Mayo developed Bright’s Disease and died in the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York in 1914 at the age of 49.

Mayo, Thomas J. - 5/14/1841 - ???

Although best known today as the father of John C. C. Mayo, Thomas Jefferson Mayo was well known in his own right as one of Johnson County’s earliest and best teachers. T. J. was a farmer, as well, having acquired substantial farm lands adjoining Paintsville. He served in the Kentucky General Assembly.

Meade, Fred - 6/3/1880 - ????

Fred Meade was a school teacher and administrator, serving for
16 years as Superintendent of Johnson County School. Following his retirement
 from education, Fred owned and operated the Arcade Theatre in Paintsville.

Meade, Dr. Lloyd G. –

Dr. Lloyd G. Meade was reared in the Greasy Creek section of Johnson County. He received his dental medicine degree from the University of Louisville. Although successful in his dental practice, Dr. Meade spent much his time pursuing various business interests, including a stockyard near the present site of McGahan Feed, a nearby swimming pool, and land acquisition projects.

Meade, W. Howes – 1/18/12 – 6/2/86

Wendell Howes Meade, son of Dr. Lloyd G. and Beulah Howes Meade, was a prominent attorney and businessman. Howes served in the U. S. Navy during World War II after which he returned to the private practice of law in Paintsville. Howes was elected to Congress in 1946 but was defeated for re-election by Carl D. Perkins in 1948. In 1949 Howes obtained a license to build and operate a radio station in Paintsville, WSIP, which he operated until its sale to Arnold Silvert in 1956. He served as Atlanta Regional Director of Housing and Urban Development in the Eisenhower Administration.

Meek, Walter E. - ??? – 11/26/66

Johnson County Sheriff Walter E. Meek was elected in 1965 and began serving as sheriff in 1966. He was killed in the line of duty while attempting to serve a lunacy warrant on the western edge of Paintsville on November 26, 1967. Available records indicate that Walter was the first sheriff of Johnson County killed in the line of duty. 25 years later Sheriff Gene Cyrus became the second Johnson County Sheriff to be killed in office.

Meek, Warren – ???? - 8/30/32

Warren Meek founded the Paintsville Herald in 1901, the city’s oldest continuous business. He served as its editor and publisher until its sale in 1912 to Charles A. Kirk. Mr. Meek later moved to Thelma and then Auxier where he became a poultry farmer. The Paintsville Herald remains the oldest continuous business in Paintsville.

Melvin, Charles T. –

Charles T. Melvin and his family were in the retail grocery business in Paintsville for three generations. His father Roy Melvin began the family tradition and it was continued by his son, Chuck, after Charles T. and his wife, Opal Williams Melvin, retired. Charles T. served in the U. S. Army in the Pacific Theater during World War II.

Charles T., like his father and son, is active in social, religious and civic affairs of the community. He served three terms on the Paintsville City Council.

Minix, Dr. Michael B. -

Mike Minix, one of Paintsville’s most gifted athletes, received local, state and national recognition for his football accomplishments (see Sports Highlights). He earned a medical degree from the University of Kentucky and specializes in ophthalmology. His son, Mike, Jr., followed in his fathers footsteps in both football and medicine.

Montgomery, Alice Jane Howes – 4/29/10 – 10/12/78

Alice Jane Montgomery was one of Paintsville’s most gifted teachers. In the course of her teaching career she taught dancing, drama, speech, music, Latin and English and took numerous students through state public speaking and drama competitions. Ms. Montgomery was organist and choir director at First Methodist Church for many years.

Mullins, Bobby Elwood – 1/26/27 – 3/24/95

B. E. Mullins made his contributions to Paintsville and Johnson County quietly and effectively and only a few people knew of his civic work. He was born at Keaton and attended Keaton Elementary School before graduating from Flat Gap High School in 1944. It is reported that B. E. made the first basket ever scored in the WPA-built Flat Gap gym. He entered military service with the U. S. Army Air Corps before attending Duke University and the University of Louisville Law School from which he graduated in 1950. Following brief employment by the Kentucky Revenue Cabinet and the Worker’s Compensation Board, B. E. established a private law practice in Paintsville which he maintained until his death. He served for 23 years as President of the Johnson County Bar Association and was the attorney and secretary for First Federal Savings & Loan (now Family Bank) for 30 years. B. E. was instrumental in several economic development projects, including American Standard and established the Bobby Mullins Scholarship Fund which awards college scholarships to high school students each year.

Musgrave, Dr. Ernest Earl – 9/18/22 – 2/14/98

Ernie Musgrave, a native of Henderson County, Kentucky, received his undergraduate education at the University of Chicago in electrical engineering, following service in the U. S. Army during World War II. He earned his medical degree from the University of Puerto Rico in 1954. He later earned a Master’s Degree in Industrial Medicine from Harvard University and became a Diplomate of the National Board of Medical Examiners. Before moving his practice to Paintsville Ernie Musgrave owned and operated a hospital at Jenkins. Dr. Musgrave was a pilot and an Aviation Medical Examiner. He served on the Paintsville City Council in addition to numerous other civic activities.