William and Chloe Miller Howard
William Harmon Howard was born on May 6, 1911, to Clem B. and Lonnie Martin Howard, of Sulphur Lick, Ky. He was one of four children.
He attended the White School and later, Tompkinsville High, where he was on the debating team. He attended Western Kentucky University, and although he only taught a few years, he said that he enjoyed the experience very much and taught many successful Monroe Countians including former Superintendent Darrell Carter. He also recalled the experience at Hamilton School, where he began teaching when Robert Miller was called to military service. He rode a horse to the school and picked up Terrell McPherson on the way.
In 1945, William was ordained a Baptist Minister, and he served as pastor of a total of 18 churches for a period of 50 years. One of his early pastorates was Beech Grove at Eighty-Eight, and he served again as his last pastorate. He died on May 15, 1999, at the hospital in Glasgow.
He was a farmer as well as a teacher and minister, and a talented woodworker and carpenter. He built the home at Sulphur Lick and in 1957, the home at Rockbridge, which still stands.
Chloe Miller was born on March 18, 1899, at Strode, Monroe County, Ky., to James F. and Mary White Miller. She was one of eight children. She attended what she always called the “Normal School” which became Western Kentucky University. She began teaching at Sand Lick School in 1918. In 1929, she moved to Illinois, where she taught for two years. Chloe continued to teach until she retired from Merryville School on June 30, 1957. She died at the Monroe Health Care Facility on July 23, 1989.
A highlight of her teaching in Monroe County was the annual County Fair. She won the parade contest numerous times and delighted in preparing the students for the event. She also took great pride in the accomplishments of her students, many of whom went on to achieve much in life. She worked hard to prepare the students for the eighth-grade exam, which meant the student could progress to High School.
William Howard married Chloe Miller on May 3, 1930. He recalled that they rented a room in a house belonging to Vacso Miller, and each rode a horse in opposite directions to school. Depression time meant that they had very little in the way of possessions, but he said they were totally happy, and repeated many times that “things” don’t matter; people do.
To honor William’s and Chloe’s memory, their daughter and son-in-law, Wilma and Hank Klein established these scholarships in their name. The funds assist students pursuing their educational goals. Through this fund, the Howards’ legacy carries on in perpetuity.