Juanita Back Singleton, a leader in Knott County education, was born in 1928 to Willard and Lyda (Smith) back. The Backs were native Knott Countians living in Hamilton, Ohio. Most of Juanita's school years were spent in Hamilton, but her parents let her attend Carr Creek High School for her most important senior
year in 1947.  (It was there that she met her husband of almost 50 years, Vesper Singleton).

Juanita furthered her education at Caney Junior College (now Alice Lloyd) , then received bachelor's and master's degrees from Eastern Kentucky University and a Rank I certification from Morehead State University.

Mrs. Singleton's teaching career began at Hindman High School in 1951, and she says it almost ended the first day. After a long day of uncertainty and loss of self-confidence, she went by the office of  Superintendent Beckham Combs to inform him that she did not feel capable nor inclined to be a teacher" and that she would like to resign.  Mr. Combs was sympathetic and kind, and assured her that if she   
would just finish the first week, he would find a replacement.  Juanita went back to the classroom--and neither she nor the superintendent ever mentioned the incident again.

For a two-year period, Juanita was an instructor for the Army clerical School at Fort Knox and worked for the Continental  Army Command while Mr. Singleton was in the military.  After their return to Knott County, she became the first guidance counselor in the Knott School system, developing a guidance program and serving both Hindman and Carr Creek high schools  Through the
years, she also developed programs and wrote grants which obtained funding for different aspects  of education in the county.  She was acting as a county-wide guidance director in the central office before her retirement in 1985.

Since her retirement, Juanita has continued to work as a very active volunteer in many education-0related areas.  She has twice been elected district president for the Kentucky Retired Teachers'  organization, and was also chosen as statewide president in 1992-93.  Juanita has served on many educational and community boards and committees. She currently serves on the board of the Knott County    
Public Library and is a member of a Delta Kappa Gamma.

A member of the Hindman First Baptist Church, Juanita says one of their most challenging and rewarding teaching assignments was a Sunday School teacher for young married women.

The Singletons consider their family to be one of their greatest blessings. Their daughter Rebecca and husband Mark David Goss have two daughters, Elizabeth Clay and Sarah Anne, who have made being a grandmother a precious part of Juanita's life

Corbett Mullins
May 5, 2003