Lenoir County Assistant Clerk of Superior Court Mary Alphin has announced her candidacy for election to the post of Clerk, seeking to succeed Clerk Dawn Stroud when Stroud retires at the end of her term. Stroud has announced she will not seek re-election. 

“I offer the residents of this county a 15-year proven track record of providing high-quality service in the Clerk’s office,” Alphin said. As Assistant Clerk, Alphin supervises the civil and criminal divisions, the bookkeeping office and 17 staff members. She has worked in each of the Clerks office’s various divisions in some capacity during the past 15 years.  

“Clerk Stroud and I have worked tirelessly to ensure this office operates with integrity in its role supporting the justice system for Lenoir County and North Carolina,” she said. “My goal in running for this post is to ensure a seamless transition of leadership that allows us to continue operating efficiently, effectively and professionally in serving the people of this county.”

Clerk Stroud is endorsing Mary G. Alphin for Lenoir County Clerk of Superior Court. 

“I hired Mary approximately 15 years ago as my bookkeeper.  Over these years she has worked in the Criminal and Civil Division. She currently supervises 17 people in my office all while carrying out many other duties daily. She understands all jobs within the Clerk’s Office including but not limited to, Child Support, Civil Court, processing civil paperwork, Bonds, Small Claims, Foreclosures, Upset Bids, processing criminal cases, Motor Vehicle Seizures, Motor Vehicle liens, and special proceedings. Mary has the knowledge to carry out all aspects of the job of Clerk of Superior Court in my absence. Mary is more than qualified to fill my shoes when I retire. I would ask for your support and vote to elect Mary G. Alphin for Lenoir County Clerk of Superior Court in May 2022,” Stroud said.

North Carolina’s 100 clerks of superior court (one in each county) are an integral part of the administration of justice in the state. Clerks, elected to four-year terms, are responsible for all clerical and record keeping functions of the district and superior court and carry out certain judicial functions. Clerks are ex officio judges of probate. They also have jurisdiction over certain foreclosures, guardianships, divorces, adoptions, name changes and other pre- and post- judgement remedies.

Alphin has lived in LaGrange for 34 years with her husband, John Alphin. They have two children,

Rebecca Sayland and Amanda Conner, and four grandchildren. Alphin holds an associate’s degree in applied science in accounting from Lenoir Community College.