Malvin Sexton
Malvin Cecil Sexton was a World War II veteran, educator, and served as Scott County Superintendent of Schools from 1956 to 1964.
See Also: Scott County School Superintendents
Preceded By: Ora S. Robbins • Succeeded By: Raymond Jeffers
Biography
Born in the Paint Rock community east of Oneida on Sept. 9, 1913, Sexton was the son of Caswell Sexton (1867-1919) and Rachel Rosemary Cecil (1872-1959). He was the youngest of 10 children. His father died in a coal mine explosion on Christmas Day in 1919. He was a third great-grandson of Revolutionary War veteran Timothy Sexton.
Sexton attended school at Almy, Fogal and New Almy before graduating from Huntsville High School in 1934.
World War II
Sexton joined the U.S. Army at age 16, and later enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps, obtaining the rank of technical sergeant and, later, captain. He served as a company commander during World War II, serving in Australia, the Philippines and New Guinea. He earned a number of awards, citations and medals.
Education
Following World War II, Sexton attended Lincoln Memorial University, East Tennessee State University, and University of Tennessee. He received a masters degree in Science.
Family
Sexton married Sadie Ellen Morrow in 1941. They had six children: Allen Cecil, Rick, Carole, Robin, Chris and Suzanne. At the time of his death, he had 14 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.
Professional Life
Following his graduation from the University of Tennessee, Sexton entered the teaching profession in Scott County. He taught at Almy, Huntsville and Helenwood, as well as Robbins High School.
He was also a charter member of the Mid-County Volunteer Fire Department in Helenwood, and a member of Paint Rock Baptist Church. He was director of the Tennessee Dept. of Human Services for 12 years.
Scott County School Superintendent
Sexton was elected Scott County School Superintendent in 1956, replacing Ora S. Robbins. He served until 1964 and was succeeded by Raymond Jeffers.
During Sexton’s time as superintendent, a program for exceptional children was established, as was the building and trades program. It was Sexton who orchestrated a survey for both the Scott County School System and the Oneida Special School District for school consolidation. The survey was conducted by the University of Tennessee.
Death
Sexton died on March 2, 2007 at Scott County Hospital. He was 93. A funeral service was held at Four Oaks Funeral Home in Huntsville on March 5, 2007, and he was buried at Sexton Cemetery.
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