Union County Clerk Shannon Phillips will retire today after 14 years in office.
Phillips' retirement was announced at a Quorum Court meeting earlier this month, when Union County Judge Mike Loftin presented a resolution to Justices of the Peace declaring a vacancy effective June 30.
JPs unanimously approved the resolution declaring the vacancy and Loftin subsequently announced that he wanted to suggest Alice Lowery, a long-time Union County employee who is a deputy county clerk, be appointed to fill the remainder of Phillips' term. A resolution to do so also passed unanimously.
Lowery said she started working at the courthouse in 1976 and had served under four county judges and three county clerks.
"I want to say thank you," Lowery told JPs. "Anything y'all need, come tell me and we'll get it done."
"Alice, you're welcome. You deserve it," said Loftin.
Phillips, a 1984 graduate of Strong High School, first began working in the Union County Clerk's office in 2000, where she was elevated to chief deputy clerk prior to her election. She also worked as a municipal court clerk at the El Dorado Police Department for three years, and before that, for Ensco.
Through her time in office, Phillips has overseen myriad changes, including the digitization of many public records; the legalization of gay marriage; updates to the county's voting processes and equipment; and redistricting, twice.
Today, the Clerk's office will close at noon in order to close the books as part of Phillips' retirement. A retirement party will be held at 2 p.m. at the courthouse to recognize her service to the community.
Lowery will be sworn in as interim County Clerk on Friday at 9 a.m. by Judge Jack Barker. According to the resolution appointing her to fill Phillips' term, she will be paid $2,461.54 per pay period.
A new county clerk will be chosen in the Nov. 8 general election. Democrat Crystal Osgood and Republican Mandi Fudge have filed as candidates in the race.