Mae Boren Axton

Mae Boren Axton (September 14, 1914 in Bardwell, Texas – April 9, 1997 in Hendersonville, Tennessee) was known in the music industry as the 'Queen Mother of Nashville'.She received a co-writer credit for the song "Heartbreak Hotel" made popular by Elvis Presley.

She was an influential member of the Nashville music industry. For decades she used her influence to contribute to the success of many musical careers including Mel Tillis, Reba McEntire, Willie Nelson, Eddy Arnold, Tanya Tucker, Johnny Tillotson, Kelli Warren and Blake Shelton.

Personal life

Mae Boren was the only daughter of Mark L. and Nannie Boren. Lyle Boren, one of her eight brothers, was one of the youngest members elected to the US Congress in 1936. The family moved from Texas to Oklahoma when Mae was two. She attended East Central State College and the University of Oklahoma, where she earned a bachelor's degree in journalism. She obtained a public teaching certificate and taught English and journalism at schools in Broken Bow, Moore, Walters, Frederick and Ada.

Mae married John T. Axton, an officer in the US Navy, and they had two sons, country star Hoyt Axton, born March 25, 1938 in Duncan, Oklahoma, and a younger son, John, who became an attorney. The family lived in Comanche, Oklahoma during the children's pre-teen years.

In 1949, Mae's husband was stationed in Jacksonville, Florida; the family moved there. She taught...
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