Gov. Andy Beshear has ordered flags at all state office buildings to be flown at half-staff in honor of former Gov. Martha Layne Collins, who passed away over the weekend at the age of 88.

The 56th Governor of Kentucky and its only woman governor, Collins served in that role from 1983 to 1987. Prior to becoming governor, she served as Lieutenant Governor from 1979 to 1983. She was also the elected clerk of the Kentucky Court of Appeals, a post she held from 1975 to 1979.

During her tenure as clerk, a constitutional amendment restructured the state's judicial system, and the Court of Appeals became the Kentucky Supreme Court. Collins continued as clerk of the renamed high court and during that time worked to educate Kentuckians about the court's new role.

“Former Gov. Martha Layne Colli

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