Helen Payne Humes

June 24, 1935 - July 28, 2018

Helen Humes She loved shoes. Dozens of pairs adorned her closet. Her children lovingly called her “Imelda”, as in Imelda Marcos, the shoe queen. But for Helen Payne Humes, who passed away July 28th at age 83, the love of shoes was just a small slice of her full life. As anyone who knew her would attest, Helen was always put together, proper and professional. Helen was raised in Nolin, Kentucky; graduated from Sonora, KY High School in 1953; became the second person hired at Hardin Memorial Hospital in 1953; got married and raised four children. Helen was a proud graduate of the University of Louisville and the first in her family to root for the Cardinals. Helen had a remarkable career, helping bring hundreds of jobs to Kentucky and Indiana. She may have been proudest of her work as Executive Director of the Hardin County Chamber of Commerce and President of the Elizabethtown/Hardin County Industrial Foundation. She helped attract the first wave of Japanese investment to Kentucky and became the first woman to be named president of the Kentucky Industrial Development Corporation. Helen helped establish the Heartland Festival; was in the inaugural class of Leadership Kentucky; helped form Leadership Elizabethtown and became the first female member of the E-town Rotary Club. She won numerous awards for her success in luring jobs not just to Kentucky but Indiana as well, where she worked for the IN Dept of Commerce then led the economic development effort in Mooresville and Morgan County. Helen’s smile, outgoing personality and power of persuasion convinced company executives around the world to trust her and bring their businesses to her towns. Helen was a loving mother, grandmother and great grandmother who shared her generous gifts and heart with family and friends. Helen was preceded in death by her parents John H. and Maime Washer Payne, her brother Harold Payne and her longtime pet and companion, Misty. She is survived by her children: John Humes of Louisville; Ronny (Pam) Humes of Franklin, Tn.; Melinda (Marc) Roberts of Elizabethtown and Lisa (Mark) Hebert of Louisville. Helen also had five grandchildren: Ashley (Dustin Stanley) Roberts; Laurel (Wes Groth) Humes; Ethan Roberts; and Allison and Andrew Hebert. Emmi Groth was her only great grandchild. She was also close to several nieces and nephews and blessed with dozens of close friends who loved and laughed with her as much as she did with them. A celebration of life will be held Sunday, August 5th from 2-4 pm at the Thurman-Phillips House, 101 Broadway St, Sonora, KY. A graveside service will be held immediately following at Sonora Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that any gifts be made to Habitat for Humanity of Metro Louisville or Hurstbourne Christian Church.