August 13, 2018
By: Dwayne Page
A retirement reception is scheduled Friday, August 17 for Katherine Pack, who steps down at the close of business August 31 after 16 years serving as DeKalb County Circuit Court Clerk.
The five-hour reception will be from 3 p.m. until 8 p.m. in the auditorium of the DeKalb County Community Center at 712 South Congress Boulevard, Smithville. Family, friends, and DeKalb County elected officials would like to invite you to help celebrate Katherine’s retirement. Refreshments will be served.
Katherine was first elected in 2002 and is completing her fourth term. She chose not to seek re-election.
“I am still upset with her that she is leaving but I understand. She has devoted virtually her entire life to public service and she deserves to enjoy retirement and not be tied to a schedule and all the obligations that her office has entailed,” said General Sessions/Juvenile Court Judge Bratten Cook, II.
“I have known Katherine for many years. Prior to her becoming Circuit Court Clerk she was the probation officer for misdemeanor offenders through the UCHRA program and before that she worked at the jail for many years. During her time as Circuit Court Clerk, Katherine has operated the office with courtesy, efficiency, and every single lawyer that ever walks into that door will tell you that there is not a clerk’s office that they have ever been to that was as courteous , friendly, and cooperative as Katherine’s and that is a testament to her. She is a blessing to our community and everyone that knows her or has come in contact with her I think feels the same way. She is a gift to us. I want to wish her well in her retirement but I am going to miss her tremendously,” said Judge Cook.
Register of Deeds Jeff McMillen said he could always count on Katherine for sound advice especially in helping solve problems.
“She is more than a friend. She is like a family member to me. I have known her since her husband at the time, Kenneth Pack was elected Sheriff for the first time in 1986. That was the same year I was first elected Register of Deeds. She worked for him at the sheriff’s office and over the years she became like family. She is just a great person and has been a mentor of mine. The thing I will always appreciate about her is that she always looked for a solution to a problem. Sometimes when we did have issues I would always go to her and ask for her advice on what we needed to do because she was always level headed. I appreciate her friendship and its good to know she is still just a phone call away if I need her advice on something,” said McMillen.
Sheriff Patrick Ray said he also has a close working relationship with Katherine
“She and I both were born and raised in the Belk Community, so I have known Katherine my entire life.”
“I really got to know her on a personal level when I started with the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department in 1989. She was a great person to work with at the Sheriff’s Department and we have continued our working relationship with each other while she has served as Circuit Court Clerk and me serving as Sheriff,” said Ray.
“She has always been someone I could go and talk to about things that were happening in my profession as a law enforcement officer and my personal life as well. She has always tried to give ne Godly advice about whatever problem I was having,” he said
“Katherine is a wonderful person that I will miss seeing on a daily basis. I wish her the best in her retirement and in her future endeavors,” added Sheriff Ray.
“She has paid her dues and its time for her to relax and make those good coconut cakes and Elvis Presley cakes she makes me every year for my birthday and she had better keep doing it,” concluded Judge Cook.