Circuit Court Clerk Kelley retires

Apr. 30—CATLETTSBURG — Tracey Kelley has retired as Boyd County Circuit Court Clerk. Tuesday was her last day.

Kelley has served in the position since September 2015, when then-Chief Circuit Judge C. David Hagerman conducted the swearing-in ceremony.

Kelley said a number of changes have occurred within the judicial system throughout her nine-year stint, specifically pointing out the massive movement to electronic filing.

Kelley said COVID pandemic and the major ice storm of 2021 forced significant adjustments, too.

Kelley was deputy court clerk for about 17 years before accepting the appointment to circuit court clerk. She was later elected unopposed.

"This office handles all types of lawsuits — small claims, divorce, adoptions, misdemeanors, felonies; we handle pretty much everything that requires a judge's signature," Kelley said.

Judge George W. Davis III made a heartfelt post on Facebook about Kelley, whom he first met at band camp a little more than 40 years ago at Ashland Blazer High School. The senior circuit court judge said they both learned lessons about punctuality, discipline, organization and respect while in high school.

During a college break, Davis encountered Kelley and told her he was going to law school.

"She was studying to be a paralegal and said she would come to work with me," Davis wrote. "True to her word, she did. When I opened my office fresh out of school, I had no money for staff at first. Tracey said don't worry about it, pay me when you get on your feet. That, my friends, is friendship."

Kelley is retiring to spend more time with family, including her mother and her great niece.

Her late father, Tom, was a police chief and mayor in Ashland. Todd Kelley, Tracey's brother, is Ashland's present-day police chief.

"We've always been service-oriented," Tracey Kelley said. "We love Boyd County and would do anything for Boyd County. We enjoy helping people."

Davis said Kelley could have easily given up or taken disability due to health issues, "but for years now Tracey has been in her office each day before 8 a.m., usually not leaving until well after 7 p.m.," Davis said. "This included weekends as well."

Davis said Kelley is humble, never calling attention to herself, but simply dutifully serving the courts and the public "all the while working to promote awareness for the need of organ donation in our community," he said.

Circuit Court Judge John Vincent said Kelley has been an "outstanding clerk for this county."

"She has always gone above and beyond to make sure everything is handled appropriately and in an expedient fashion," Vincent said. "The amount of paperwork that is generated by two circuit and two district courts is tremendous; it's hard to get a grip on. That, as well as her other duties, she has done a fantastic job. ... She certainly provided quite a legacy for herself."

Davis said he is forever grateful to Kelley.

Kelley said Monday and Tuesday were "nice" because several attorneys and past clerks came in and spoke with her to reminisce.

Mary Hall Sergent will be sworn in as Boyd County's circuit court clerk today (Wednesday) at 11 a.m.

(606) 326-2664 — asnyder@dailyindependent.com