Mathis, Howitt C., Sr.

Born in Greenville, KY, Mathis was the first African American president of the Kentucky Vocational Association (KVA). Mathis had been an elementary teacher and principal; a high school teacher, coach, and principal; and a college basketball coach. He was also director of the West Kentucky Vocational Technical School in Paducah [now West Kentucky Community and Technical College] beginning in 1957. H. C. Mathis Drive in Paducah was named in his honor. Mathis was a graduate of Tennessee A & I University [now Tennessee State University]. He was a cousin of Cornelius Martin. For more see Profiles of Contemporary Black Achievers of Kentucky, by J. B. Horton.