After serving Mathews County residents for 41 years as Clerk of Circuit Court, E. Eugene Callis III, 71, will step down at the end of this year. Callis said he made the decision in February he would retire, turning the office over to his "very capable" deputy clerks.

"I knew when the time came, I would know," Callis said. Keeping the decision a secret until last Monday, he said he had only told his wife and deputy clerks Angela Ingram and Judy Dixon.

"I’ve been here a long time," Callis said, "and I think it’s time to turn (the office) over to some younger people." He praised Ingram and Dixon, calling them "very capable" and "comfortable" with running the clerk’s office.

"I’m going to leave with the satisfaction of knowing the office will run as smoothly and efficiently as it has in the past," Callis said.

He also had high praise for county residents. "I’ve enjoyed working with the people of Mathews," Callis said. One of his favorite things about...