PARSONS – Tucker County Magistrate Carol Irons said she felt like she would know when it is time for her to retire, and that time has come. Irons tendered her resignation after serving for nine years, and said she is looking forward to serving the community in different ways once she steps down from the bench.
Tucker County Magistrate Carol Irons is announcing her retirement effective Dec. 31
“December 31 is my last day,” Irons said. “I am happy to be retiring, but I will miss the work.”
Irons said she thinks she will miss the people the most when she retires.
“I will miss the folks I work with and then the public in general,” Irons said. “Most generally you have a good day when you work here. I try to talk to people when they come in and help them not feel so scared.”
Irons has been a Tucker County Magistrate since Jan. 1, 2005.
“I was in the Tucker County Sheriff’s Office since 1982,” Irons said. “I worked from then until 2000 as a Chief Deputy of the taxes. Marshall Davisson was Sheriff and died. I was appointed by Tucker County Commission to serve his one remaining year of a four-year-term.”
Irons said following that year, she ran in the election for Sheriff and was successful.
“I served five total years as Sheriff,” Irons said. “My husband was ill, and I knew I had to work, so I ran for Tucker County Magistrate. I was successful. This will make my tenth year.”
Irons said Dec. 31 was the time to retire because she has never had time to do church work or volunteer to help with bereavement dinners.
“I have never been able to volunteer nor to do community work,” Irons said. “I am looking forward to doing this. I am a member of Riverview Chapel in Porterwood.
“None of my work has been fun because you are dealing with people’s lives,” Irons said. “I have only had one jury trial since I have been here. We do bench trials, preliminary hearings on felony cases and we have to deal with issues regarding children.”
Irons said some of the decisions she has to make have been very hard.
“I have to figure out what is facts and what isn’t,” Irons said. “You have to listen very closely and be fair and honest with them.”
Irons said her tenure has been a good journey.
“It has been wonderful,” Irons said. “Everyone has been good to work with. I came in not knowing anything about the court because I had Deputies that were the bailiffs and arresting officers.”Riley Barb, Tucker County Magistrate, said Carol makes working like family.
“Carol is a joy to work with,” Barb said. “I am going to miss her, but I am very happy for her, that she is going to be able to do it. I told her to do it if she could. As long as you have your health and can be comfortable, you should do it.”
Barb said Irons has been a mother figure to everyone in the office.
“She always takes care of us on special events,” Barb said. “That’s just the way she is. It has been a pleasure working with her. I am glad she will be able to retire and enjoy her life. I hope she has a great life.”
Tucker County Magistrate Clerk Paula McDonald said will miss working with Irons.
“It has been a pleasure to work with Carol,” McDonald said. “She is so pleasant. I am really going to miss her. I wish she would stay, but I wish her the best of luck with her retirement.”
Brenda Arnold, assistant to Irons, has worked with her for many years.
“It’s been great,” Arnold said. “I could not have asked for a better boss. We are friends, and I feel blessed to have worked with her for many years.
Arnold said they began working together in the Tucker County Sheriff’s Office.
“We have worked together for 17 years,” Arnold said. “I am happy for Carol to be able to retire and enjoy the time. I will be sad and miss her, but she lives here in Parsons and we will continue our friendship. I hope she enjoys her retirement.”
Deborah Hovatter, assistant to Tucker County Magistrate Riley Barb, has worked with Irons, and feels she will be missed.
“It has been my pleasure to work with Carol for the past nine years,” Hovatter said. “She is a kind, giving and compassionate soul. I am glad she is taking advantage of her retirement while her health is well and she can enjoy it. I, along with everyone here, will miss her. I hope she gets to do some traveling and anything else she wants to do even if that anything may be nothing!”
Because Irons’ term is not complete, Tucker County Circuit Judge Philip Jordan Jr. will select a Magistrate to complete the last two years of Irons’ term.
