Marshall County Judge Mike Miller (1944 - 2015)

An evening of remembrances of an icon

(Gilbertsville KY) - Close to six hundred Democrats gathered at Kentucky Lake for what was once called the Marshall County Bean Dinner. The annual night before Fancy Farm Picnic event is one of the many required events for Democratic office seekers. This year, the name of the event changed to honor former county Judge Mike Miller who passed away in 2015. Miller served as county judge executive for over forty years.

Candidates for state office waited for their turn to speak until after local Democratic business was completed. House Representative Will Coursey led the remembrance. He started his career working in Miller's office.

Coursey called Miller "a Kentucky legend next to Alben Barkley." He touched hundreds of lives in Marshall and thousands of lives across the Commonwealth, Coursey said.

Coursey presided over an auction of a chair upholstered with Miller's ties. Melonie Chambers was the successful bidder. Coursey said that Miller's ties were going right back to the judge's office. Her bid will go to the Marshall County Democratic Women's scholarship fund.

Miller's wife, Chyrilll, is presently serving as Marshall County Judge. She is not running for her own term. Miller's longtime assistant Melonie Chambers is the ballot as Democratic candidate for the job. She will face GOP candidate Kevin Neal in November. In her address to the crowd, Chambers promised to continue Miller's work if she is elected.

In other local business, Marshall County Democrats awarded a $500 scholarship to Cailey Radcliff for her essay "Why I picked the Democratic Party." (see photo)

Two Democratic women who passed away in 2015 were also honored. Family members of Shirley Darnell and Pam Chambers were present to see their portraits unveiled and to receive recognition of their contribution.

Two Marshall Countians were named Democrat of the Year: former Labor Secretary and representative for 26 years, J. R. Gray, left, and Democratic activist Susanna French. Kolt Boddy is Young Democrat of the Year in Marshall County.

Chambers summed up Judge Mike Miller's contribution: "A lot of things Mike started, he finished. He devoted his life to this region and state."

He would be pleased with the turnout, the crowd and his smiling portrait.