From staff reports
TRUSSVILLE — Two of Trussville’s most beloved citizens, Ned and Goldie Paine each passed away in 2015. Ned Paine died after a lengthy illness. He was 92. The Paine family founded Trussville’s Amerex Corporation, the world’s largest manufacturer of fire extinguishers, with partner George Baureis in 1971. Baureis died in 1992; Paine retired in Sept. 1999, selling the company to McWane Inc. a few weeks later. It remains the city’s largest employer.
Goldie P. Paine was born October 14, 1926, in Martinsburg, WV. She lived in Trussville Ala., for 44 years before she passed away on October 16, 2015.
Together, they developed Amerex into the premiere fire extinguisher manufacturer in the world. Goldie then turned her attention to the International market and was President of Amerex Fire International selling extinguishers in 71 countries around the world. Under her guidance and leadership, Amerex International had companies in the United Kingdom, South Africa and Australia. She was the President of the World Trade Association, earned and was awarded other honors too numerous to name.