Judi's father, Pike County Sheriff Roy Conway, lost his life in the line of duty on July 28, 1950 at the age of 44. Her mother, Esta died on April 29, 1991. She was 78 years old.
I am proud to share this journey with Paul as well as his vision of a better Kentucky. My family is the most important thing in the world to me and I know that most Kentuckians feel the same way. My special concern during the Patton Administration will be the children of Kentucky. As First Lady of the Commonwealth, I will do all I can to increase the opportunities for Kentucky's children and reduce any hardships they suffer. When children in Kentucky hurt, I hurt. I have seen the abuse and neglect that can result from poverty, ignorance and prejudice.
I know from my own experience - losing my father when I was a girl - how tragedy can strike Kentucky families. But I also know tragedy can build strength and courage as I saw in my mother as she took over my father's business and finished his term as sheriff in Pike County. The determination and bravery she developed at this time in our lives were born of necessity. In her later work as a social worker she reached out to those in need. Knowing how difficult life can be for some people has provided me with the will to help others, especially children. Helping people is part of my heritage and I intend to continue my parents' legacy of public service as First Lady.
Our challenge is to overcome adversity and become all that we can be - as my
sisters and I learned from my mother. I dedicate this day to her and thank her
for all she did for me. It is my hope that I can provide the same kind of
inspiration to the families and children of Kentucky that my parents did for our
family.
Judi's father, Pike County Sheriff Roy Conway, lost his
life in the line of duty on July 28, 1950 at the age of 44. Her mother, Esta
died on April 29, 1991. She was 78 years old.
Judi with dad
A crack of a rifle in the middle of the night changed Judi Patton's life forever. Her father, Sheriff Roy Conway of Pike County, who had been elected to office six months earlier on his reform platform to clean up illegal bootlegging, gambling and other crime, was murdered in front of his home in 1950. He died in the arms of his family. A businessman, a state legislator and a technician who worked on the Manhattan Project, he became involved in public service to crusade against crime in a post World War II Pike County. His name is inscribed at the National Law Enforcement Memorial in Washington, D. C.
Judi's mother Esta, a member of the Craft and Wright families of Letcher County, served out her husband's term and ran the family business after Roy Conway's death and reared her daughters alone. She then put her education from Morehead State Teacher's College to work and became a social worker for the state's social service agency, traveling to the rural parts of the county to serve clients who were receiving public assistance. To reach the most remote parts near Knox Creek, she would drive as far as she could, walk the railroad tracks into West Virginia for miles and shout to her families on the Kentucky side of the Big Sandy River to come and pick her up in a row boat.
Judi Patton (front,right) with her three sisters Anna Ruth, Colleen and Nanci Roy, by their home in Pikeville.
Judi's parents made sure that she and her sisters received a well-rounded education which included exposure to the arts and cultures of the world. Piano lessons were mandatory and her father insisted on nightly recitals before formal family dinners. His nickname for the future First Lady of Kentucky was "Judi bud" which denoted her place in the family as his best buddy.
Judi pursued her education at Pikeville College, married and had two children. She met with tragedy again when her first husband was slain during a robbery. Her life with Paul Patton and their children has been different - that of a typical family, facing obstacles, but overcoming them with love, kindness and mutual consideration. They have been partners in raising their four children - Nicki, Chris, Bambi and Jan and are now actively involved with the three grandchildren, Chase, Judith Paige and Jan, Jr.
Prior to coming to Frankfort when her husband was elected Lieutenant Governor, Judi ran a garden and landscaping business in Pike County. Long active in community service and political activities, she served as a delegate to the 1984 Democratic National Convention and as a member of the Democratic Women's Club. Her busy life as wife, mother and business owner included sponsoring little league cheerleading squads, serving as den mother, chairing the Pike County Cancer Society, holding offices in the Pike County Junior Women's Club and working on the Pike County Courthouse Building Commission which oversaw the restoration of the Hall of Justice and the county courthouse.
Since coming to Frankfort, she has served on the Attorney General's Task Force on Child Sexual Abuse, the task force on school safety and actively pursued the funding for the Kentucky History Center which is under construction - all causes which will continue to shape the lives of Kentucky's children.