| Notes |
- CKNJ, March 12, 1987
Junior Sprowles, 63, former jailer, sheriff and county school board member, died Monday at 6:20 p.m. at Taylor County Hospital following a lengthy bout with cancer. The funeral is today at 2 p.m. at Parrott & Ramsey Funeral Home. Sprowles, who lived on Saloma Road, served about 26 years in public office. He was a member of the county school board from January 1955 until March 18, 1965 when he resigned so he could run for sheriff. While a member of the county school board, Sprowles participated in the construction of Taylor County High School, according to county school superintendent Gary Seaborne. Sprowles' name is engraved on a dedicatory plaque on the building. Sprowles was deputy sheriff from 1966 to 1970 and sheriff from 1970 to 1974. He was elected as jailer in 1982 after serving as deputy jailer under Harry Benningfield. He was appointed to serve one year of Benningfield's term as jailer after Benningfield became ill in office. In 1985, Sprowles sought anothe!
r term as jailer. He won the Republican nomination but was defeated in the May primary by current jailer, George Williams. Sprowles' term as jailer, which was his last elected position, ended in January of 1986. During his term as jailer, the county jail was closed following a $290,000 judgment against the county in federal court. He became transportation officer while the jail was closed and inmates were taken to other counties. Taylor County Judge Executive Sam Phillips worked closely with Sprowles a number of years. He said he was saddened when he learned of Sprowles' death from cancer. Sprowles' popularity in district and countywide elections was evident by his 26 years of public service. He attracted national attention in late 1970 after he lost his driver's license for refusing to take a Breathalyzer test. Police charged him with drunk driving though he said he had not been drinking. The fact he began riding a horse to work and tying it on the courthouse gro!
unds was reported in the local, state, and national media. The story was picked up by the Associated Press and carried in many national publications. Sprowles and his horse were also immortalized in two sons, The Sheriff Rides Again and The Ballad of the Taylor County Sheriff. Sprowles was the son of the late J. T. and Mattie Thompson Sprowles. He was born in Taylor County on May 27, 1923. He was a member of the Zion Separate Baptist Church. Survivors include his wife, Ruth Ann Stayton Sprowles; one daughter and two sons, Mrs. Gowdy (Vienise) Hash, Arnold Sprowles, and Roger Sprowles, all of Campbellsville; five grandsons and three granddaughters, Anthony Hash, Greg Hash, Randy Sprowles, Rodney Sprowles, Daren Cox, Pam Sprowles, Becky Sprowles, and Carrie Sprowles, all of Campbellsville; one sister, Jessie Underwood of Campbellsville; one aunt, Beatrice Warren of Campbellsville; several nieces, nephews and many other relatives and friends. The funeral will be conducted by the Rev. Bill Warren and the Rev. Ronda Arnett. Burial will be i!
n Zion Separate Baptist Church Cemetery. Pallbearers will be the Rev. Ralph Boils, the Rev. David Boils, the Rev. Frank Boils, the Rev. Harlin Parker, the Rev. Harvey Parker, and the Rev. Jim Huff. Honorary pallbearers will be the Rev. George Hancock, the Rev. Carl
|
1923 - 1987 (63 years)
