Four graduates of Todd County High Schools will be inducted in to the Hall of Fame this year.
Chairman Fred Harper says The 2023 inductees in the Todd County High Schools Hall of Fame are Nora Mae Fox, Lieutenant Colonel Clyde W. Maxwell, Wilmon Autry Moore, and Dr. Susie Jackson Riley.
Miss Fox received her education from the Todd County School System as well as Sherwood Conservatory of Music in Chicago. She was a member of the Elkton Orchestra 1920-30 and played both piano and drums at the Damon Opera House during the era of silent pictures. Nora Mae taught vocals and instruments in the Todd County public schools until the high schools consolidation in 1963. She wrote the music for the TCCHS Alma Mater. She served as pianist of the Elkton Rotary Club from 1924 to 1990 and believed to be the first woman member of Rotary Club in the western half of Kentucky. Served as organist at Petrie Memorial Methodist Church for 60 years. Became the first woman in Todd County to have a day designated to her, Saturday, May 24, 1958. Was recognized for assisting Elkton Civitan Club, Chamber of Commerce, City of Elkton, Elkton Ministerial Association, and students of Elkton School System.
Lieutenant Colonel Maxwell graduated from Elkton High School in 1955. Graduated with BS degrees in mathematics and agriculture from Murray State University as well as being commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the U.S. Army ROTC program. Received Master of Business Administration from Central Michigan University, graduated Command General Staff College, Air War College, and Industrial Engineering College. During 20 years in the US Army serviced in Vietnam, developed computers for high tech weapons, and was attached to the Pentagon. After retirement from the US Army worked in defense industry, and received a Master’s degree in computer law from Louisiana La Salle. He was a husband, father of 3 and kept ties to Todd County by owning land in the Sharon Grove community and supporting Antioch Baptist Church.
Mr. Moore was a 1957 graduate of Elkton High School. He joined the US Army Reserve and served on active duty at Fort Knox, Kentucky and Fort Dix, New Jersey during the Berlin Crisis. Learning the basics of the grocery business from his father, Mr. Moore opened the first supermarket in Elkton, Moore’s IGA. He and his wife, Peggy, eventually opened additional stores in Guthrie, Kentucky, Clarksville, and Tennessee Ridge, Tennessee. Known for his generosity, they donated land for the Todd County City Park in Elkton, as well as being instrumental in the Clifty City Park. The Moore’s started the TCCHS Music Scholarship, because of his love of music. Leaving the grocery business after 32 years, he became a real estate broker and auctioneer. Mr. Moore was a founding member of Westside Church of Christ. Was a teacher, lay preacher, song leader, deacon, and elder.
Dr. Riley attended both Trenton Rosenwall Elementary and Todd County Training prior to integration of Todd County Schools. Susie became the first African-American from the state to be selected as a delegate to the National 4-H Congress in Chicago, IL. . In 1966 graduated from Todd County Central High School. Received her BS from Western Kentucky University, was a member of Epsilon Zeta Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority. 1979 completed her doctorate at University of Louisville School of Dentistry and enlisted in the US Army as a Captain in Dental Corps. 1982 transferred to Army Reserves serving in Operation Desert Storm. Retired as Lieutenant Colonel after 23 years of service. In the 1980’s Dr. Riley opened her first dental practice in Louisville. During her 40 years of practice, Dr. Riley was in Louisville Dental Society, Kentucky Dental Association, American Dental Association, chairman of KY Medicaid Dental Technical Advisory Committee, president of Kentucky Dental Society, and appointed to the Board of Directors of Louisville Metro Department of Public Health. Dr. Riley was a Kentucky Colonel and in Who’s Who of Louisville. Susie was a member of First Baptist Church in Jeffersontown, KY served as director of children’s Sunday School Dept. and on the Audio Visual Team. In 1987 her family, John R. Riley family, was recognized as the Louisville Urban League Family of the Year.
Harper said, the names were chosen by an anonymous selection committee.
The recipients or their families will receive the awards at an event early next year.
Individuals who were nominated but not selected this year will remain eligible indefinitely for selection. Anyone can nominate a person for the hall of fame by getting a nomination form from the Todd County Board of Education or emailing Fred Harper at fred.harper21@yahoo.com
