Flags to half-staff in honor of former clerk of court, county commissioner
Former magistrate, clerk of court and county commissioner Claude Davis. Photos from Howard Carter Funeral Home and Catherine Hardee / Neuse News
The flags at the Lenoir County Courthouse are at half-staff today to honor the passing of a long-time member of county government.
Claude Davis served as a magistrate in Lenoir County for fifteen years, as Clerk of Superior Court for twenty years and was elected as a county commissioner after retiring from the clerk’s office in 2003. Davis passed away Monday at the age of 86.
Current Chairman of the Lenoir County Board of Commissioners Linda Rouse Sutton said she did not serve on the board at the same time as Davis, but she got to know him through other organizations and as a neighbor.
“From having conversations with him, I know how much he loved Lenoir County and the citizens that he served,” Sutton said.
Sutton said she was contacted about the possibility of honoring Davis by lowering the flags, and after consulting with County Manager Michael James, realized there was not a specific policy in place for Lenoir County.
James said the county normally follows presidential and gubernatorial decrees regarding the flags, but the board of commissioners could choose to honor someone at a county level if they chose.
“Since there was not a policy, and given the fact that Claude had served for so many years, giving of his time and talents to the community, we felt that it would be appropriate to do so, and that was why we made the decision to lower the flags,” Sutton said.
The flags at the Lenoir County Courthouse will fly at half-staff all day Thursday and Friday in memory of Davis.
A funeral service for Davis will be held Thursday evening, with a graveside service Friday at 11 a.m. at Pinelawn Memorial Park.
Sutton said she and James will be looking into creating a formal policy for the future by which Lenoir County can honor individuals who have served the county by flying flags at half-staff.
