Mathews deputy clerk of court Angela Ingram was sworn in last Thursday evening as the county’s next Clerk of Court. She will replace E. Eugene Callis III, who will retire Dec. 31 after 41 years of service.
Ingram has over 20 years’ experience with local clerk’s offices. She started in February 1991 as deputy clerk in the Gloucester Circuit Court. She transitioned to the Mathews County Circuit Court Clerk’s office in October 1998 to be closer to her family, who resides near Redart.
Ingram, who said she always tries to make the customer feel at home in the clerk’s office, said she enjoys working with the public. “They challenge us in many different ways,” Ingram said, “and I learn from them.”
When Ingram started in Mathews, she was mainly in charge of handling all of the real estate transactions that came through the office. When Joyce Pierce-Cherry retired in June 2008, Ingram took over her role in handling court orders, recording deeds, concealed handgun permits, marriage licenses and other duties.
One of the most enjoyable parts of the job, Ingram said, is seeing the happy couples come in to apply for their marriage licenses. “It’s great to see them starting a new future together,” she said.
As clerk, Ingram looks forward to carrying on what she said Callis has taught her. “One of those main things is trying to make sure the citizens that come into our office feel welcome,” she said. “We do care about their needs and we want the office to run efficiently.”
Ingram said to run the clerk’s office efficiently, each staff member must be approachable and available to the public, despite how busy they may be at the moment.
Ingram said deputy clerk Judy Dixon is her “right-hand woman.” She said Dixon’s “always there to help out and do whatever needs to be done and put everybody’s needs before her own.”
Pierce-Cherry, who helped to train Ingram, will be in the office part time to help once Callis retires. Callis said he will also be available for any questions his current staff may have. “He will be on our speed dial,” Ingram said.
Overall, Ingram said she is “excited and honored” about being appointed to the clerk’s position. Over the past years, she said Callis has been teaching her the ins and outs of the court work that the office handles on a daily basis.
Ingram also pledges to work with all of the other county offices in whatever ways she can to make the office run as smoothly and efficiently as possible. “I will always be available to the public and have an open door policy,” she added.
“Angie is a hard worker and she deserves the position,” Dixon said. “She has earned it and will do a good job.”
Ingram has been married to Tom Ingram for 22 years. They have two children: Tyler, a student at Norfolk State University, and Jesse, a 10th grader at Mathews High School.