Charlotte Lovette (Slone) Madden, daughter of John Commodore and Jeanette Hammond Slone, was born Sept 19, 1928, at their home in Pippa Passes, Ky. She was delivered by a midwife and weighed a mere three pounds at birth.

Charlotte grew up in Pippa Passes and has lived there most of her adult life. She attended Caney Elementary where she and her classmates had advantages that were not founding many other Eastern Kentucky schools at the time. There was one teacher per gradee, and the building was steam heated with a large auditorium. Teachers utilized a system of double promotion and many students graduated early. Charlotte spent only four years in Caney Elementary School.

She entered Knott County High at the age of ten, and four years later entered Caney Junior College.

Charlotte completed two years at the college during World War II and began teaching at Cordia High School at the age of 16. She taught there for two years and served as librarian, housemother, and dietitian.

In 1947, Charlotte began teaching English and was the librarian at Knott County High. In 1948 having attended the University of Kentuckyfor short spring terms and summers while teaching, she received a Bachelor of Arts in Education with majors in English and biology.

The following year, Charlotte met Edward Madden, a friend of her younger brother. The two were married three months later on June 1, 1949. On August 21, 1954, Charlotte and Edd suffered the loss of a new-born son, Edward Theodore. On Oct. 9, 1955, Charlotte gave birth to a daughter, Jeanette Marie. Then on July 30, 1957, another son, Darrell Edward, was born.

Charlotte continued her teaching and her education and in 1955, received a Masters of Arts in Education. Charlotte held her position at Knott County High until 1957 when she became the librarian at Carr Creek High School. She then returned to Caney Junior College and taught English. Eentually, Charlotte became Head of the Education Department at the college. She then became the librarian at Alice Lloyd College and received a Master’s Degree in Library Science. Under Charlotte’s leadership, the library developed from small holdings of about 6,000 volumes with a staff of one person to over 50,000 volumes and a staff of six.

Charlotte did a building program for the new McGaw Learning Center on the campus of Alice Lloyd College. This was built in 1980. During this period she did a feasibility study for a four year college. Enough of those surveyed agreed with the potential and the two year college became a four year college. This move has proved bery successful under dedicated leadership. Over the years she has assisted with such organizations as the Girl Schout and Cub Scouts and helped develop a library organization comprised of college, public, and school librarians. In the late 1960’s Charlotte and two other academic librarians published an Appalachian bibliography. She was also selected to become a member of Who’s Who of American Women. Charlotte served on the board of Family Health Services in Hazard and is now on the board of the Jume Buchanan Clinic. Perhaps most importantly, she is a charter member of the Caney Baptist Church.

When the Knott County high schools consolidated, Ed and Charlotte bought the Knott County High School building and turned it into a community center and an American Youth Hostel to serve both national and international guests. When the high school burned in 1980, Ed converted part of the family home into a hostel. Today, guests from around the world stay at the Madden house.

Despite her retirement in 1985, Charlotte continues to be involved in Cordia School and Alice Lloyd College. She serves on the alumni board of the college and was selected as the Alice Lloyd College Alumna of the year.

It is difficult to think of Charlotte Madden without also thinking about Ed. Everyone who knows Charlotte and Ed Madden has some story to tell of how the couple has affected their lir3 in wome aspect. Their love and dedication to Knott County and its people is astounding. This dedication has been instilled in their children and grand children, all of whom have careers in the fields of public service. The greatest accomplishments of the life of Charlotte Madden cannot be found in old Alice Lloyd College yearbooks or in the various degrees that she holds, but rather in the hearts of those who know her.