Elder sworn in as district clerk

Elder sworn in as district clerk News Staff Tue, 06/04/2024 - 5:03 pm District Clerk Stephanie Elder is sworn in by 90th Judicial District Judge Phillip Gregory during a ceremony held Friday, May 31 at the Stephens County Courthouse. Photo/Mike Williams Christie Coapland officially retired last month after 29 years of public service in the 90th Judicial District Clerk’s office in Breckenridge. Photo/Mike Williams By Mike Williams news@breckenridgeamerican.com One career in public service came to an end last week while another took its next step. The 90th Judicial District Court in Stephens County has a new district clerk after a swearing in ceremony Friday, May 31 at the courthouse. Christie Coapland’s 29 years of public service has ended as her retirement became official with the swearing in of new district clerk Stephanie Elder. Coapland started her work with the district clerk’s office in January 1995 at the request of then district clerk Shirley Parker, who served in the role from 1994 to 2006. Upon Parker’s retirement in 2006, Coapland ran for the position unopposed and held the office until her retirement last month. “I worked for Shirley Parker in her flower shop and when she took office in (1994) she called me and asked if I’d like to come work part-time. So I said yes,” Coapland said. “I came to work for her in January 1995 part-time until September of that year.” Coapland transitioned to a full-time position, with her term as district clerk officially beginning in January 2007. “It has been wonderful,” Coapland said. “The citizens of Breckenridge have just been wonderful and they’ve always supported me and I just feel blessed.” With her retirement official, Coapland said she is going to use her newfound free time to travel and spend time with her grandkids.Elder’s career took its next step with the appointment, filling Coapland’s shoes. She was sworn in to the new position by 90th Judicial District Judge Phillip Gregory. “She’s a hard worker. She’s a very giving person,” Gregory said. “(Elder) finds a way to do the extra when she doesn’t have to. As a result I felt she was the best candidate for the role.” She has been working part-time with the district clerk’s office since 2019, starting her career in public service in 2018 while working for then Stephens County Judge Gary Fuller. While in the judge’s office, Elder worked in a secretarial role under Fuller and the Stephens County Commissioners Court. “It’s a blessing, for sure,” Elder said of becoming district clerk. “The Lord’s had his hand in this ever since I came to the courthouse. My goal is just to be a blessing to the county and not a burden. I just want to help my community.” The 90th Judicial District Court hears felony cases each Thursday in the Stephens County Courthouse. The court has recently started hearing cases on Fridays on an as-needed basis. News Log in to post comments