Parker County Today PCT FEB 2019 | Page 31

many times that we still had that cash register, just to show it off; because people would never believe it.” Brunson implemented much of the technology in use today. Asked if she misses the job, she replied with an emphatic “yes.” “I miss it terribly already,” said Brunson. “I miss the people. When I went in I was married, had no grandchil- dren, and was the youngest in the office. When I left I was divorced, had 13 grandchildren, and was the oldest in the office.” The decision to retire, Brunson said, was not an easy one, but she felt it was time to “pass the baton” to the next generation. “There comes a point in time when you have to recognize that,” she said. She felt easier about her decision because Lila Deakle decided to seek the office. “I was very relieved when she started expressing inter- est in running when I was going to retire,” Brunson said. “That was probably the ‘icing on the cake,’ if you will. I know her to be a good person, an honest person, a lady of quality and fortitude. I could totally support her.” And support her she did. Deakle successfully ran against one opponent for the county clerk’s job and took office Jan 1, 2019. “It was one of my great pleasures and my honor to swear her in,” Brunson said. Deakle, born in the tiny Alabama coastal town of St. Elmo, came to Texas in 2002 with her posting to the Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base in Fort Worth. She retired from the Navy as a chief petty officer in 2005. She lived in Weatherford and after retiring, worked for Brunson in the Parker County Clerk’s Office for seven years. Deakle said Brunson was an exacting boss, but in a good way. “She demanded a good product,” she said. “We serve the citizens of Parker County, and she was demanding as to what she expected and how she expect- ed us to do it. The goal was serving Parker County.” The new county clerk appreciated Brunson’s person- able approach. “I’m retired Navy, and so I went from a military atmosphere to a county position that I was totally unaccustomed to, and although she was demanding, she was also welcoming — she treated us like her family. She genuinely cared about us and was involved with our day- to-day routines.” Deakle also admitted to being in awe of someone who stayed in office as long as Brunson did. ”My hat’s off,” she said. Asked about her priorities for the office, Deakle said the big push now is to go paperless in the court system. “We’re already paperless in our deeds and records department,” she said, adding, “and just the same as her [Brunson], I want to serve Parker County to the best of my ability. I absolutely love what I’m doing.” As for Brunson, she’s adjusting. “I can’t get over the fact that I miss my girls,” she said. “All of them had their quirks and their wonderful, wonderful attitudes … each individual I miss. They were great. Once I get accus- tomed to it, I think I’ll be just fine.” orthington Go see him at Worthington CDJR in Graham Today. 1609 US-380 | Graham, Tx | 940.549.2020 | worthingtoncdjr.net Brookes Worthington and grandaughters, Tatum and Lyla ur O e k a M ! y p p a H Pappy 29