Occupation: Magistrate
Age: 50
Background: A native of Davie County
Education: Graduate of Davie County High School. She has a bachelor of science degree in business management from Shaw University.
Career path: After college, she worked in banks, including Security, Home Federal and Citizens Federal ó all the names have since changed. A friend in the Clerk of Court’s office told her about a vacant magistrate’s job and suggested she apply. Acting Clerk of Court Ed Norvell recommended her and Superior Court Judge Thomas Seay appointed her as magistrate in February 1993.
She’s found a job she likes. “I’ve worked in this job longer than anywhere ever ó and it’s still the Rowan County Magistrate. Unlike the banks, they haven’t merged with anybody.”
She figures to be around for years to come. “They’ll take me out of here with a tag on my toe.”She’s the third black magistrate in the county’s history.
Role model: Her mother, Sadie Jones of Mocksville, who is retired and now works privately caring for elderly people. “She is truly a person who has the qualities and personality I aspire to. She’s very patient, understanding, not judgmental. She inspires me.”
Quote to live by: “If I knew you and you knew me / If both of us could clearly see … The meaning of your heart and mine / I’m sure that we would differ less.” ó from a poem by Nixon Waterman.
Pet peeve: “Dishonesty … people who don’t tell the truth. … I’ve heard it all.”
State of race relations in Rowan: “We are better off than some neighboring counties; If we all work hard to achieve common goals, it can only get better. The majority of the people here want to see relations improve for all races.”
ó Jessie Burchette