Bush Longhurst
Four new members have been inducted into the Todd County High Schools Hall of Fame.
They are Robert Nelson Bush, William “Bill” Longhurst Jr., Stanley Gail Russell and Angela Payne-Starnes.
Bush began his educational career in Todd County Schools in 1951 as an English teacher, later as principal of Elkton High School, the first principal of Todd County Central High School and eventually Superintendent of Todd County Schools until retirement in 1980.
Longhurst was a graduate of Guthrie High School and returned there after college to teach and coach basketball. He later left the teaching profession to help in the family business, Longhurst General Store, which he continued to operate until his recent death. He continued coaching in youth leagues and served on numerous boards and commissions in Guthrie and Todd County.
Russell was a member of the first graduating class of Todd County Central High School in 1964. He returned to Todd County after college and helped form the Diversity Council, served as PTO President, served on the Todd County Undoing Racism Team and he chaired the Todd County Housing Authority.
As a member of the Todd County Laity and Ministerial Alliance he helped in the planning of the annual Community Martin Luther King Celebration.
Payne-Starnes was a 1980 graduate of Todd County Central High School. A stellar track athlete, she won 7 state titles for the Lady Rebels and set the 1A state record in the 100-meter dash in 1980 state meet—a mark which still stands today.
She went to Murray State on a track scholarship and helped the Racers win the OVC championship in 1981 and 1982. Paynes-Starnes spent 27 years in the Crittenden County School System as a teacher, coach and athletic director and is a member of their hall of fame, in addition to the Kentucky High School Athletics Association Hall of Fame.
Russell Payne-Starnes