Smith County Honors Former County Clerk

TYLER — Retired Smith County Clerk Mary Morris was honored in Commissioners Court on Tuesday, after 45 years of service to the county. Ms. Morris became the first female to be elected as county clerk in 1979 and was re-elected every election cycle until she retired in 1998. She began working for the office as deputy county clerk in 1953. The Commissioners Court approved a resolution proclaiming October 22, as “Mary Morris Day” in Smith County.

Smith County Clerk Karen Phillips presented Ms. Morris with a flag that flew over the U.S. Capitol from U.S.Congressman Louie Gohmert, and a flag which flew over the Texas Capitol given by Texas Rep. Cole Hefner. A memorial plaque was also dedicated to Ms. Morris, which will hang in the County Clerk’s Office in her honor.