From NKAA, Notable Kentucky African Americans Database (main entry)

In 1952, Jesse Voyd Bottoms, Sr. became one the first African American graduates of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, KY. Bottoms and two other African American students, Benjamin J. Miller and Claude Taylor, were the first to walk in the graduation processional. Southern Baptist Theological Seminary had opened its regular classes to African Americans in 1951. African Americans who had graduated before that year had earned degrees in special classes.

Jess V. Bottoms, Sr. was also a graduate of Simmons Bible College (now Simmons College of Kentucky), later serving in many capacities at the school, including as a teacher and the dean. He was the fourth to become pastor of Green Street Baptist Church in Louisville, KY, and served for 35 years (1952-1986). Bottoms also helped organize the local arrangements for the March on Washington.

Jesse V. Bottoms, Sr. was born in Versailles, KY, the son of Charley and Harriett Butler Bottoms. He was the husband of Florence Carter Bottoms.

Sources: Ancestry; "Baptiste Seminary graduates 234." The Courier-Journal, 10 May 1952, p.4; "Green Street Baptist Church." The Louisville Defender, 27 March 1958, p.4; "Green Street Baptist Church." The Courier-Journal, 10 August 1974, p.6;"Civil Rights Activists Jesse Bottoms, 89, dies." Lexington Herald-Leader, 19 January 1995, Obituaries section, p. B2; and "Interview with Jesse V. Bottoms, Sr.,"  12/2/1978, at the Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History website.

* Corrections to this entry were provided by Nieta Wigginton.