Deputy circuit clerk Linda Wells retires

If you have gotten married, needed a passport, registered to vote, voted absentee or had busy with the circuit court system here in the past two decades, you may know Linda Wells.

She has served as deputy circuit clerk for more than 21 years but retired this past Friday.

“I actually worked for Thomas Stanford one year,” she said. “He just wanted someone part-time to help with the election.”

When Stanford retired and his brother, Billy Stanford, won the circuit clerk’s job, he asked Wells to stay.

When Phyllis Stanford was appointed and then elected circuit clerk after her husband Billy’s death, Wells continued in her role.

She said she had many jobs in the past but when she first began in the clerk’s office she had been taking care of her father who was ill. A native of Sturgis, Miss., she and her husband, James,  moved here in March 1997.

“He was pastor at Grace Pointe Church of God when it was on the north side before moving,” she said. He still fills in and performs other pastoral duties.

Not incidentally, he has helped hold elections for many years, starting when what has been the NEMCC precinct until recently was still voting at the Scout Hut by the Methodist Church.

Circuit Clerk Phyllis Stanford and staff, along with the Union County Election Commissioners, held an informal reception for Wells and presented her with gifts this past week.

One of her primary jobs was to keep voter rolls up to date so she worked closely with the election commissioners.

She has no plans other than to take it easy and although she will miss seeing everyone she won’t really miss the very long days it takes to hold elections.

Amy Willard is the new deputy circuit clerk taking over for Wells.

From left, deputy clerks Holly Wilbanks, Helen Randle, Wells and circuit clerk Phyllis Stanford.

With Wells, center, are, from left, election commissioners Bill Azlin,Mike Beam, Barbara Reed and Wes Creighton. Wayne Wilhite was not present.