4th Street Mural

The 4th Street Mural was commissioned in 2019 by the Maysville Commission on Human Rights. With nominations and input from the public, the Commission chose the 23 individuals featured in the mural. These individuals were selected for their contributions to the community. Artist Kelcie Johnson, who grew up in the 4th Street area, was contracted to paint the mural, which was generously funded by grants from US Bank, Helping Someone Review Committee, Maysville-Mason County Arts Commission, and dozens of other businesses, organizations, and individuals to whom the Commission on Human Rights expresses its appreciation.  Members serving on the Human Rights Commission during this project include Chairman David Green and commissioners Rosalyn Brandon, Millicent Harding-Thomas, Bryan Helphinstine, Carrie Jacobs, Gary Zornes, Carmen Gomez, Mike Thomas, and Patricia Whitaker. The mural was dedicated Oct. 15, 2022 by Mayor Debra Cotterill.

Portraits as they appear on the mural from left to right (TURN MOBILE DEVICES TO HORIZONTAL POSITION TO VIEW PHOTOS):
1-portrait E.M. Clement Educator: E.M. Clement was coach of Fee High School girls basketball team state champions in 1933 and 1934.   E.M.-Clement
2-blue-woman Ida M. Ross (1890-1974) Educator: Ida M. Ross was the driving force behind the building of a one-room school house for African-American children in Minerva in 1925, where she taught for 42 years. After integration in the 1950s, the building became a community center and she went on to teach in the Mason County School System. She received her AB degree from Kentucky State College and her Master’s degree from Morehead State University where she was one of the first two African-American women to attend. She served on the board of the National Committee of Human Race Relations, was a member of the National Council of Negro Women, served as president of the Alumni group at Kentucky State College, and secretary of the Sub District of Women’s Society of Christian Services.   Ida-Ross
3-professor-humphrey Professor William Houston Humphrey (1880-1958) Educator: Known as Professor, William Humphrey was the first principal of the segregated John G. Fee School. He is remembered as the administrator who oversaw the school’s greatest achievements (1929-1949). Humphrey is remembered fondly for treating all of the students, whom he referred to as "little ones," with care.  Prof.-William-Humphrey
4-brickhouse-band The Brickhouse Band – Musicians, entertainers. The Brickhouse Band were popular entertainers who performed from the late 1970s into the early 1980s. The band was comprised of the Lewis family – Barry Lewis, Alice Thomas, Richard Marshall, and Hobert Gregg. They played locally in Maysville at the Ramada Inn and proms as well as Cincinnati, Frankfort and the Beverly Hills Super Club.   The-Brickhouse-Band
5-ron-rice Ron Rice (1953- ) Veteran, police officer: Ron Rice became a police officer with Maysville Police Department after retiring from the U.S Air Force where he served as an MP. He became assistant chief of police under Chief Kent Butcher, and then first African-American police chief in Maysville. Rice served as police chief for nine years prior to his retirement in 2019. During his tenure as chief, Rice guided MPD through the process to become accredited through the Kentucky Association of Chiefs of Police Accreditation Program. To be an accredited agency, a police department must meet 140 standard in such areas as policy and procedure, training and equipment. He also oversaw the move into the new police and communications headquarters on Government Street and the opening of the renovated substation in the East End.  Ron Rice
6-pat-moore Pat Moore (?-2002) Civic leader: Pat Moore was a regional hall of fame basketball player from his years at Maysville High School who shared his knowledge of the game to the benefit of young people in the community through the organization of summer basketball leagues that helped to mold their character as well as the talents. He was also instrumental in continuing the Dirt Bowl experience for the Maysville community by way of 3 on 3 tourney’s at “Jack’s” and then on to 5 on 5 tourney’s ending up in the Mason County Girls Gym, former Maysville High School gym. He was someone who could be called on for service by local charities.  He worked at Comprehend, Inc. in the Big Brother, Big Sister Program, and 2001, he became a member of Hayswood Foundation's Board of Directors.   Pat-Moore
7-amo-peters Amo Peters (1912-2010) Amo Peters was a civic leader, civil rights activist, healthcare leader. She was the first black nurse at Hayswood Hospital where she rose to position of night nurse in charge and coordinator for information and referral services. She was chair of Human Rights Commission and organized civil rights march in Frankfort. At Bethel Baptist Church, she was a Sunday school teacher, president of the senior choir and Women’s Missionary Society, and trustee of administrative board at Bethel Baptist, and Maysville Housing Authority board member for 20 years. She was a member of RSVP, Buffalo Trace Aging Council, Red Cross Board, MLK Scholarship Fund board, Licking Valley Handicap Board, Comprehend Foster Grandparents board, Buffalo Trace Senior Olympics Steering Committee, and volunteer for Hospice of Hope.  Amo-Peters
8-Robert-French Robert French (1958- ) – Robert French was the first African-American dentist in Maysville. Attended May’s Lick Negro School before transitioning to the Mason County School System. He attended Maysville Community College for a year before continuing at Historically Black College, Kentucky State University where he received his Bachelor’s Degree in Biology. He received his Doctor of Dental Medicine Degree from University of Kentucky in 1980 after which he opened a practice in downtown Maysville. He has been a member of the Mason County Health Department board as well as 25 years on the Comprehend board on which he served a term as chairperson. He provided dental screenings for children in the Head Start Program and was an active member of the Ambassadors, an African-American men’s community service club.  Robert-French
9-gwendolyn-french Gwendolyn French (1924- ) – An alumni of May’s Lick Negro School and John Fee High School where she was valedictorian of her graduating class, Gwendolyn French graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Home Economics from Kentucky State University. She began teaching  at the Rosenwald one room schoolhouse in Washington, KY and later later at the Rosenwald May’s Lick Negro School.  While instructing at the May’s Lick Negro School, she was the first African American from Mason County to attend the University of Kentucky to complete her teacher’s certification. After integration, she wished to continue teaching in her major (Home Economics) at the integrated Mason County High School, but since Home Economics was an elective course the school board believed the white students would not elect to take the course if instructed by an African-American teacher.  Instead of instructing Home Economics, Mrs. French became Director/Administrator of the Mason County School Lunch Program.  While engaged as director, she completed her Master’s Degree in Supervision/HR at Morehead University.  Gwendolyn French
10-Lyda-Lewis Lyda Lewis (1948- ) Entertainer: A 1966 graduate of the newly integrated Maysville High School, Ms. Lewis was the first African-American homecoming queen at Morehead State University (1967), or any Kentucky college. She graduated from Morehead in 1970. She was also the first African-American Miss Kentucky (1973) and was the first black southerner to compete in the Miss America Pageant. She was employed as a special education teacher in Louisville, KY, in 1973 and planned to pursue her master's degree at the University of Louisville. She signed a modeling contract with the Ford Agency and worked as a model and an actress during the 1970s and early 1980s.   22.2 Lyda Lewis2
11-charlton-fields Charlton Fields Mr. Fields was an educator in Mason County in the 1940s-70s. He is pictured as teacher at Rosenwald School 1954-55.   Charlton-Fields
12-doc-perry William “Doc” Perry (1916-2000) Sign painter/graphic artist, business owner: Doc Perry made his mark throughout Maysville by painting signs, graphics, and advertisements on buildings, vehicles, and business windows, including the original Welcome to Maysville mural on the floodwall. Mr. Perry lost a leg in shotgun accident when he was young, but that didn't stop him from climbing high above the sidewalks to paint signs free-hand on downtown buildings. He also lettered police cruisers in exchange for a business license, according to former City Manager Dennis Redmond. "Doc isn't just a sign painter. He's an artist," Redmond told the Lexington Herald-Leader. If you look up, you'll still see the ghosts of Doc's work throughout downtown.   Doc-Perry
13-ethel-foley Ethel Foley (1914-2007) Educator, civic leader: Ethel Foley taught 39 years at Fee High School and two at Maysville High School. She served on the Board of Regents of Morehead State University for a four-year term beginning in 1980. She was a member of Haven’s Chapel United Methodist Church in Washington and was vice president of Maysville District United Methodist Women, 1986-1989 and a volunteer in the Literacy Program. She was president of the Old Church Museum Board in 1991, a member of Retired Senior Volunteer Program Board of Directors, and a member of Maysville-Mason County Bicentennial Commission and Old Washington Board.  Ethel Foley
14-george-jones George Jones was a man who wore many hats. He was a US Marine veteran, carpenter, electrician, plumber, and award-winning painter.  He created local holiday attractions and repaired and painted business facades and displays. Mr. Jones graduated from John Fee High School where he played on the basketball team. Despite an accident that prevented him from playing, he was drafted into a pro softball league. He was also known for his community assistance and mentorship.  George Jones
15-jerry-gore Jerry Gore (1947-2016) Educator, historian: Jerry Gore was an Underground Railroad historian, a founding member of the National Underground Railroad Museum, Inc., and founder of the Freedom Time Company and the Kentucky Underground Railroad Association. He was a consultant on the history of the Underground Railroad for a number of projects and programs and was featured on the History Channel's "Save Our History: The Underground Railroad." He was the great-great-grandson of Addison White, famous Ohio fugitive of the Underground Railroad. In 2012, Jerry Gore was the recipient of the Carter G. Woodson Memorial Award.   Jerry-Gore
16-florence-norman Florence K. Morton Norman (1894-1944) Civic leader: Florence Norman grew up on East Fifth Street in Maysville. She was a charter member of the National Council of Negro Women and was a founder of Lambda Kappa Mu Sorority a business and professional women's organization in 1937.  She had attended Howard University, Jenifer Business College, and the University of Hawaii. She established the Washington Business Institute (Washington, D.C.) for African-American girls. She also founded the Flushing (Queens) Citizen’s Association, which helped families living in the neighborhood work together to improve their lives. During her early years, she saw the plight of Kentucky sharecroppers. This experience of seeing their struggles moved her to assume responsibility for two girls of sharecropper families. This commitment illustrated her efforts to improve life for all African-American women. She had also been employed as executive secretary to Carter G. Woodson at the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History. She was married to musician/arranger Fred Norman. Florence-K-Norman
joseph-sapp-humphrey Joseph W. “Sapp” Humphrey Business owner: Mr. Humphrey was proprietor of Joe’s Barber Shop on 4th Street for over 30 years. He served not only Maysvillians but customers from Flemingsburg, Ripley and Georgetown, OH.  His business was also a social gathering place for Black men of all ages in the community.   Joseph-Sapp-Humphrey
18-john-fields John Fields Educator: John Fields was a teacher and coach at Fee High School. Under his guidance the boys basketball team was state runner-up in 1952.    John-Fields
19-theodore-berry Theodore M. Berry Sr. (1907-2000) Civic, political leader: Born in Maysville, Ted Berry was the first African-American graduate of Woodward High School in Cincinnati, OH. He earned his law degree from the University of Cincinnati. Berry was also a civil rights attorney with the NAACP. He was elected to the Cincinnati City Council in 1950 and as vice mayor in 1955. He then became the city's first African-American mayor in 1972. For more see Who's Who in Colored America, 1950; and "Theodore M. Berry Cincinnati's First Black Mayor, Dies at age 94," Jet, 11/06/2000.  Theodore Berry
20-cathy-lofton Kathy Lofton (1958-) Teacher& volunteer.  Ms. Lofton was a teacher for 27 and a half years before retirement and a substitute teacher for 12 years. Her community involvement includes: past board member of Mason County Library, Hayswood Foundation, Cultural Diversity Committee, and Church Women United. She is presently serving on the Jerry Gore Scholarship Committee, volunteer at Maysville Nursing and Rehabilitation Facility, and Reachout (working with area youth); tutor, and Sunday school teacher. Kathleen-Lofton
21-frances-perry-hall Frances Perry Hall (1920-1984) Social services leader: Mrs. Hall was a social service aide who was so highly thought of at the local and state level that she was named to two statewide task forces: one on homemaker policy and the other on policy for the protection of children. She began her career with local and child and adult protective services in 1970. In 1978, the Bureau for Social Services awarded her a meritorious raise. Like a number of her peers, Mrs. Hall marched with Martin Luther King Jr. in Frankfort. She also served on a number local boards, including: Buffalo Trace Family Planning, Head Start Council, the Council for Handicapped, and Mason Manor. Mrs. Hall was first married to Doc Perry with whom she had six children and later to John Hall. She was a devoted member of Bethel Baptist Church. Frances-Perry-Hall
22-blue-man Arthur Tipton Civic leader: Arthur Tipton served on the Maysville Housing Commission until appointed to the City of Maysville Board of Commissioners in 1967 to complete the unexpired term of Ernest Heinisch. He was sworn in on June 29, 1967 and served through December of that year.  Mr. Tipton has the distinction of being the only person of color to serve on the Maysville Board of Commissioners.  Arthur-Tipton
23-dave-ross Dave Ross Business owner and funeral director: Owner and proprietor of the only Black funeral home in Maysville, Mr. Ross provided funeral services for the local black community before white-owned funeral homes would do so and continued providing care to grieving families into the 1980s.  Dave Ross
  Corrections or additional information about the honorees like birth/death dates, civic engagement, schooling or employment, may be sent to lisadunbar@cityofmaysvilleky.gov