PROJECT BIOS
DIRECTOR & COORDINATORS
PROJECT DIRECTOR and INTERVIEWER
Dr. Linda Holderness Bradford is a retired professor who taught university, college and community college psychology courses for over 25 years. She emphasizes that she is a teacher and not a therapist and continues to teach Colorado online psychology courses while living in Fulton Kentucky. She also writes a monthly online column, Everyday Psychology, for FultonKYnews.com, and volunteers as Photography Exhibits curator for the Twin Cities Railroad Museum.
Some years ago, her mother and sister showed her an article about The A. Phillip Randolph Pullman Porter Museum in Chicago. Admiration for the work of museum director Lyn Hughes and Dr. Bradford’s affection for her father and his work as a dining car waiter, whetted her interest and inspired the creation of the African American Illinois Central Workers of the Fulton Kentucky Railroad Station (AAICWFKRS) undertaking. In addition to the Oral History Project, a book about dining car waiters and mini documentary is planned. Her findings (with initial publication of worker photos and stories) were presented as part of the Ken Tenn Community Forum’s 2009 African American History Program and with John Algee, project coordinator, presented to the Fulton County Genealogical Society. The initial findings have been greatly expanded by the Oral History Interviews and supplements; and were presented to the Paducah Kentucky Railroad Museum and the So Fulton TN Twin Cities Railroad Museum last Spring. The next presentation will be in February for the University of TN at Martin's Civil Rights Conference .
Dr. Linda Holderness Bradford is a retired professor who taught university, college and community college psychology courses for over 25 years. She emphasizes that she is a teacher and not a therapist and continues to teach Colorado online psychology courses while living in Fulton Kentucky. She also writes a monthly online column, Everyday Psychology, for FultonKYnews.com, and volunteers as Photography Exhibits curator for the Twin Cities Railroad Museum.
Some years ago, her mother and sister showed her an article about The A. Phillip Randolph Pullman Porter Museum in Chicago. Admiration for the work of museum director Lyn Hughes and Dr. Bradford’s affection for her father and his work as a dining car waiter, whetted her interest and inspired the creation of the African American Illinois Central Workers of the Fulton Kentucky Railroad Station (AAICWFKRS) undertaking. In addition to the Oral History Project, a book about dining car waiters and mini documentary is planned. Her findings (with initial publication of worker photos and stories) were presented as part of the Ken Tenn Community Forum’s 2009 African American History Program and with John Algee, project coordinator, presented to the Fulton County Genealogical Society. The initial findings have been greatly expanded by the Oral History Interviews and supplements; and were presented to the Paducah Kentucky Railroad Museum and the So Fulton TN Twin Cities Railroad Museum last Spring. The next presentation will be in February for the University of TN at Martin's Civil Rights Conference .
PROJECT COORDINATOR
John “Pete” Algee, is a retired Engineer, Train Master, Yard Master, Brakeman, and Supervisor of Locomotive Engineers. From November 1976 through July 2007, he worked consecutively for the Illinois Central and the Canadian National Railroad. Born and raised in Fulton, while working for the railroads he lived in, among others, Centralia, Champaign and Memphis and has now returned to So Fulton TN to retire.
He and his brother, Michael Algee, were the first Black train engineers in the area and he, the first Black Train Master. His father, like Bradford’s, was a dining car waiter. Algee is familiar with the town, the railroad history and it’s workers; and among memberships on a myriad of volunteer boards, he is a standing member of the Twin Cities Railroad Museum Board. He was asked so often to provide memorabilia and expertise during AAICWFKRS presentations that he decided to volunteer as coordinator. Bradford describes his contributions as immeasurable and his expertise as invaluable to the success of the project. Algee’s personal railroad story is included in the interviewee oral histories.
John “Pete” Algee, is a retired Engineer, Train Master, Yard Master, Brakeman, and Supervisor of Locomotive Engineers. From November 1976 through July 2007, he worked consecutively for the Illinois Central and the Canadian National Railroad. Born and raised in Fulton, while working for the railroads he lived in, among others, Centralia, Champaign and Memphis and has now returned to So Fulton TN to retire.
He and his brother, Michael Algee, were the first Black train engineers in the area and he, the first Black Train Master. His father, like Bradford’s, was a dining car waiter. Algee is familiar with the town, the railroad history and it’s workers; and among memberships on a myriad of volunteer boards, he is a standing member of the Twin Cities Railroad Museum Board. He was asked so often to provide memorabilia and expertise during AAICWFKRS presentations that he decided to volunteer as coordinator. Bradford describes his contributions as immeasurable and his expertise as invaluable to the success of the project. Algee’s personal railroad story is included in the interviewee oral histories.
Welcome New Coordinator Janice Hall
PROJECT COORDINATOR
Janice Hall, retired from 1st Source Bank, South Bend, IN as Assistant Vice President of Human Resource in 1994 and two months later came out of retirement to take a position with her local Church as Associate Pastor and Administrator. She served there for 10 years before taking the position of Human Resources Director for the City of South Bend in 2004. Ironically, the City of South Bend had brought Janice to it’s employ in 1972 from Rockford, IL as Human Rights Director. She also continues to serve in the role of Associate Pastor and Administrator under the pastorate of her son Michael A. Patton.
Janice considers herself a native of Fulton/South Fulton even though she was born in Kankakee, IL. She is the daughter of the late L.M. (Babe) and Mildred Patterson. She attended both Milton and Rosenwald schools between 1947 and 1955.
She has been inspired by the work of Dr. Linda Bradford and John Algee in their creation and undertaking of the African American Illinois Central Workers of the Fulton Kentucky Railroad Station (AAICWFKRS). She as well has a personal interest because of her late father “Babe”, her grandfather Dick Jones and father-in-law James Atkins who were employees of the Illinois Central Railroad in different capacities. Also, she says the project has stirred memories of her young life spent in a segregated community but yet because of the many black citizens who were positive influencers, she never allowed the racism to affect her belief that she could not achieve or accomplish all that God had destined for her. She hopes to make a contribution to the oral history of Fulton/South Fulton.
Janice Hall, retired from 1st Source Bank, South Bend, IN as Assistant Vice President of Human Resource in 1994 and two months later came out of retirement to take a position with her local Church as Associate Pastor and Administrator. She served there for 10 years before taking the position of Human Resources Director for the City of South Bend in 2004. Ironically, the City of South Bend had brought Janice to it’s employ in 1972 from Rockford, IL as Human Rights Director. She also continues to serve in the role of Associate Pastor and Administrator under the pastorate of her son Michael A. Patton.
Janice considers herself a native of Fulton/South Fulton even though she was born in Kankakee, IL. She is the daughter of the late L.M. (Babe) and Mildred Patterson. She attended both Milton and Rosenwald schools between 1947 and 1955.
She has been inspired by the work of Dr. Linda Bradford and John Algee in their creation and undertaking of the African American Illinois Central Workers of the Fulton Kentucky Railroad Station (AAICWFKRS). She as well has a personal interest because of her late father “Babe”, her grandfather Dick Jones and father-in-law James Atkins who were employees of the Illinois Central Railroad in different capacities. Also, she says the project has stirred memories of her young life spent in a segregated community but yet because of the many black citizens who were positive influencers, she never allowed the racism to affect her belief that she could not achieve or accomplish all that God had destined for her. She hopes to make a contribution to the oral history of Fulton/South Fulton.
JERRY RUCKER
Jerry Rucker AAICRRW-FK Coordinator This success of this project balanced, like the proverbial three legged stool, on the commitment of a dedicated team of three. We are saddened beyond comprehension from the loss of team member Jerry Rucker. His contributions to this project were immeasurable and his loss is greatly mourned. We send our warmest and most sincerest condolences to his family.
Linda Bradford
Pete Algee
AAICRRW-FK
Hornbeck Funeral Chapel Fulton KY
Jerry Neal Rucker
(August 15, 1945 - November 24, 2010)
He was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force serving in the Vietnam Era; was a retired Certified Public Accountant working for the City of Atlanta Accounting Department. He was a former member of the Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church and had earned his pilot license. He was an avid photographer and served as the official photographer for the Twin Cities Railroad Musuem. He also served as a finiancal advisor to the Ken-Tenn Homecoming & Reunion Association. He was an astute golfer and served as a mentor in the Obion Co. Mentoring Program.
He is survived by a daughter Jennifer Rucker of Atlanta GA; 2 brothers Paul (Butch) Alexander of Cottage Green, TN and Michael Alexander of Paducah, KY, and a sister and brother in law Phyllis Alexander Rause (Leon) of Paducah, KY.
He was preceded in death by his father William Rucker, his mother Merless Jones, his step mother, a brother, Charles Alexander and 2 sisters, Donna Vaughn and Ponphola Hutcherson.
Funeral services for Mr. Jerry Neal Rucker will be held at 2PM Saturday at the Brooks Chapel Ministries Church in Fulton KY. Burial will follow in the Obion County Memorial Gardens. Friends may call at the Brooks Chapel Ministries Church after 1PM Saturday until the funeral hour.
Linda Bradford
Pete Algee
AAICRRW-FK
Hornbeck Funeral Chapel Fulton KY
Jerry Neal Rucker
(August 15, 1945 - November 24, 2010)
He was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force serving in the Vietnam Era; was a retired Certified Public Accountant working for the City of Atlanta Accounting Department. He was a former member of the Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church and had earned his pilot license. He was an avid photographer and served as the official photographer for the Twin Cities Railroad Musuem. He also served as a finiancal advisor to the Ken-Tenn Homecoming & Reunion Association. He was an astute golfer and served as a mentor in the Obion Co. Mentoring Program.
He is survived by a daughter Jennifer Rucker of Atlanta GA; 2 brothers Paul (Butch) Alexander of Cottage Green, TN and Michael Alexander of Paducah, KY, and a sister and brother in law Phyllis Alexander Rause (Leon) of Paducah, KY.
He was preceded in death by his father William Rucker, his mother Merless Jones, his step mother, a brother, Charles Alexander and 2 sisters, Donna Vaughn and Ponphola Hutcherson.
Funeral services for Mr. Jerry Neal Rucker will be held at 2PM Saturday at the Brooks Chapel Ministries Church in Fulton KY. Burial will follow in the Obion County Memorial Gardens. Friends may call at the Brooks Chapel Ministries Church after 1PM Saturday until the funeral hour.