Kenneth Shadowen

Kenneth Shadowen, 80, of Benton, passed away on June 18, 2024, at Marshall County Hospital.

On May 9, 1944, Kenneth was born in the rural community of Mexico, located in Crittenden County, to the late Collin Shadowen and Faolena Myers Shadowen. As a young boy growing up on his family's farm in Crittenden County, he developed a deep love for sports, particularly basketball. This love for the game eventually led him to begin coaching a local grade school team. He went on to receive a basketball scholarship from Bethel University, where he graduated with his bachelor's degree in education before returning back home in 1966. This was only the start of his lifelong dedication to education.

After college, while working at a bait shop in Lake City, Kenneth began pursuing his master's degree from Murray State University. He started his career as a teacher at Hampton Elementary School before moving to Grand Rivers Elementary School and later went on to teach at Smithland Elementary School, where he took his first role in administration as the school principal. After years of serving as the principal of the school, Kenneth was offered the position to become the superintendent of Livingston County Schools from 1975 up until 1988. From 1988 to 2000, he served as the superintendent of Marshall County Schools, where his hard work and determination led him to receive the 1996 Dupree Award for Outstanding Superintendent. In 2000, he retired from the Marshall County School System and went to work part time for the Christian County School System as an assistant superintendent until 2008.

Though he dedicated much of his life to education, Kenneth still found time for many of the other activities that he loved doing and being a part of. He was an active member at Briensburg Baptist Church. He enjoyed relaxing and tinkering on his family farm in Crittenden, taking some time to go rabbit hunting, and spending his mornings catching up and sharing stories alongside some of his close friends at McDonald's. Throughout the years, his love for sports never faded. He loved watching all University of Kentucky sports and especially loved actively following and supporting Marshall County sports. Though he spent a part of his life outside of Marshall County he had a very deep connection and love for all things Marshall County. More than anything else, Kenneth loved spending time with all his family, especially his grandchildren and loved supporting them in all their activities.

During his life, he was dedicated to education and also serving his community through various roles and responsibilities. Having previously served as a board member for the Marshall County Chamber of Commerce, former president of the Lions Club, 10 years on the board of trustees for the Kentucky Teacher's Retirement System, past board member and president of the Kentucky Association of School Superintendents, member of the Executive Board for Kentucky Association of School Administrators, former member and president of the West Kentucky Educational Coop, former board member for Marshall County Hospital, and current board member for North Marshall Water District, and current treasurer and chairman of the building committee at Briensburg Baptist Church. His hard work and commitment led him to receive the Marshall County Citizen of the Year Award and the honor of having the Kenneth Shadowen Performing Arts Center named after him for his dedication to the school system.

Kenneth is survived by two sons, Jake Shadowen (Jondra) and Jarrod Shadowen (Lorrie), both of Benton; six grandchildren, Collin Shadowen, John Case Shadowen, Cutter Shadowen, Wilson Shadowen, Sully Shadowen, and Anzley Booth; one nephew, Todd Shadowen (Hope) of Lexington; and one great-niece, Olivia Shadowen.

He was preceded in death by his wife of almost 50 years, Marlene Lively Shadowen; one brother, Lige Shadowen; and his parents, Collin Shadowen and Faolena Myers Shadowen.

Expressions of sympathy may take the form of donations to the Mexico Cemetery Fund, c/o Bobby Padgett, 6001 Mott City Rd, Marion, KY, 42064; or to the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude’s Pl, Memphis, TN, 38105.

Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. Saturday, June 22, at the Life Celebration Center of Filbeck-Cann with Brad Walker officiating. Burial followed at Mexico Cemetery in Crittenden County.

To share a memory or leave a message for the family, please visit filbeckandcann.com.