Civic Leaders

James Platt Allen was former editor of The Shelby Star, served as the southeast regional director communications and public affairs for Hoechst Celanese Corporation, and community leader in numerous capacities.

Lewis Josiah “Bill” Baley was the beloved founder of the Shelby Teen Club. He always wore that signature bow tie and teenagers loved him dearly. He chaperoned the teen club Saturday night dances for many years.

(1952 photo shared by John McGraw.)

Ray E. Brown was born in Union, SC but came to Shelby, NC where he became a hospital administrator for Cleveland Memorial Hospital. He advanced in his hospital career to become hospital administrator at Baptist Hospital in Winston-Salem, NC, as well as for six hospitals in Chicago, IL.

Joseph Sibley Dorton was known as “Mr. Fair,” having organized the first Cleveland County Fair in 1924. He was its manager for many years before becoming the manager of the NC State Fair. The arena there is named in his honor. He was also known as “Doc” Dorton, having been a veterinarian prior to his work in the operation of fairs. Read more. . .

Dr. Clyde Atkinson Erwin was born in Waco. He became the NC Superintendent of Public Instruction, serving from 1934-1952.

Photo from the collection of John E. Barrett.

Born in Shelby, Don Gibson became a songwriter, country musician, and Country Music Hall of Fame inductee. He wrote such country standards as “Sweet Dreams” and “I Can’t Stop Loving You,” and enjoyed a string of country hits from 1957 into the mid-1970s. The Don Gibson Theater in Shelby is named for him.

Joe Goforth served as Cleveland County Fair Manager from 1977-2005. His wife Sophie Kendrick Goforth was always faithfully by his side as his right hand. Together, their commitment to the Cleveland County Fair was marked by extraordinary dedication and lasting impact.

Kevin Howell, a native of Shelby, became the 15th Chancellor of NC State University in May 2025.

Dr. E. B. Lattimore was a physician serving Cleveland County patients in the early part of the 20th century.

Earl Owensby began production on a feature film in 1973. That first movie, Challenge, was so profitable Owensby founded EO Studios between Shelby and Boiling Springs the following year. More films followed, attracting the attention of other film makers and proving that feature films could be produced east of California. Read more. . .

John Wesley Roberts was an elder in the CME Zion Church and founded Roberts Tabernacle CME Church in Shelby, N.C. He become presiding elder, and would then become the first principal of Cleveland High School.

Henry Franklin Schenck, known as “Major Schenck” was a pioneer cotton manufacturer, legislator, financier, and supporter of Piedmont High School in Lawndale, NC.

John William Suttle. Rev. Suttle was known as the “Little Minister” serving Baptist congregations for over 65 years. He also served on the Board of Trustees at Gardner-Webb College for over 40 years.

Henry Lee Weathers, Sr. was a long time publisher of the Shelby Daily Star. He received the Shelby Mayoral Award for Lifetime Achievement in 2000 for his contributions to the people of Shelby.