Alben W. Barkley
a Representative and a Senator from Kentucky and a Vice President of the United States; born near Lowes, Graves County, Ky., November 24, 1877; attended the public schools and graduated from Marvin College, Clinton, Ky., in 1897; attended Emory College, Oxford, Ga., and the University of Virginia Law School, Charlottesville, Va.; admitted to the bar in 1901 and commenced practice in Paducah, McCracken County, Ky.; prosecuting attorney for McCracken County, Ky. 1905-1909; judge of McCracken County Court 1909-1913; elected as a Democrat to the Sixty-third and to the six succeeding Congresses (March 4, 1913-March 3, 1927); did not seek renomination in 1926, having become a candidate for United States Senator; elected to the United States Senate in 1926; reelected in 1932, 1938, and again in 1944, and served from March 4, 1927, until his resignation on January 19, 1949; majority leader 1937-1947; minority leader 1947-1949; elected Vice President of the United States on the Democratic ticket with President Harry S. Truman in 1948; inaugurated January 20, 1949, for the term ending January 20, 1953; again elected to the United States Senate and served from January 3, 1955, until his death in Lexington, Va., April 30, 1956; interment in Mount Kenton Cemetery, on Lone Oak Road, Paducah, Ky
Helen Marie Rickman Garrett
Helen was born May 20, 1929, in Paducah to the late J. Frank and Helen E. Bean Rickman. She graduated from Augusta Tilghman High School and attended Paducah Community College. She succeeded her husband, the late Senator Tom Garrett, as Kentucky State Senator representing McCracken, Ballard and Marshall counties from 1979 to 1990. She was elected Majority Whip in 1982 and served in that position until 1990.
During her term in the State Senate she also served on the following committees: Rules, Banking and Insurance, Committee on Committees, Transportation, Education Reform Task Force and Economic Development and Tourism Task Force.
Her political service also included serving as Past President of Kentucky Democratic Women's Club, McCracken County Democratic Executive Committee, and State Chairwoman for the campaign of Walter Dee Huddleston.
In addition, she was awarded a certificate of merit from Muscular Dystrophy Association of America; was named Maritime Person of the Year in 1989; and received Ducks Unlimited Conservation Award.
Her community service included the following: McCracken County Spouse Abuse Center -- former board member; Paducah Community Center -- former board member; Paducah Junior Women's Club -- Past President and Honorary Life Member; McCracken County Red Cross -- former Fundraising Drive Chairperson; and McCracken County Mental Health Center -- former board member.
During her term in the State Senate she also served on the following committees: Rules, Banking and Insurance, Committee on Committees, Transportation, Education Reform Task Force and Economic Development and Tourism Task Force.
Her political service also included serving as Past President of Kentucky Democratic Women's Club, McCracken County Democratic Executive Committee, and State Chairwoman for the campaign of Walter Dee Huddleston.
In addition, she was awarded a certificate of merit from Muscular Dystrophy Association of America; was named Maritime Person of the Year in 1989; and received Ducks Unlimited Conservation Award.
Her community service included the following: McCracken County Spouse Abuse Center -- former board member; Paducah Community Center -- former board member; Paducah Junior Women's Club -- Past President and Honorary Life Member; McCracken County Red Cross -- former Fundraising Drive Chairperson; and McCracken County Mental Health Center -- former board member.
John Thomas Garrett
Born November 6, 1921. Married 1952 to Helen Marie Rickman; father of Tom Garrett. Democrat.Lawyer; alternate delegate to Democratic National Convention from Kentucky, 1960; member of Kentucky state senate 2nd District, 1962-79; defeated in primary, 1957; died in office 1979. Died in Frankfort,Franklin County, Ky., February 4, 1979. Interment at Mt. Kenton Cemetery.