Longtime Coryell County Clerk retires

By BRITTANY FHOLER
Cove Leader-Press

Coryell County said farewell to Coryell County Clerk Barbara Simpson after 28 years of service with a retirement reception held Friday afternoon in the Commissioners’ Courtroom in Gatesville. 
Dozens of friends, family members, co-workers (past and present) and more gathered to honor Simpson for the impact she made. Refreshments included sandwiches, a charcuterie board, fruits and cheeses and crackers and more. There were also several different cookies, including ones with a message: “Vote Barbara Simpson”. 
“These are such special people, and I work with such special people, but sooner or later, it’s time,” Simpson said about finally retiring. “I’m amazed, absolutely amazed at such a big crowd, and most of them I’ve worked with over the years.”
Simpson was first elected to serve as the County Clerk for Coryell County and took office on Jan. 1, 1993. During her time in office, Simpson helped modernize Coryell County’s records. 
Judge Trent Farrell, of the 54th District Court in Gatesville, shared a little bit of background information on Simpson during the reception.
Simpson and her husband, Ray, have been married for over 60 years and have three daughters: Mickie, Marcie and Martie. They moved to Coryell County back in 1975. 
Simpson has a degree in psychology, which Farrell said was probably beneficial for Simpson and her work with the Commissioners’ Court. Simpson also worked as a pre-school teacher for a period of time prior to becoming County Clerk. 
Simpson was also involved in Girl Scouts as a leader and an active member in her church. She was also a member of the Gatesville Chamber of Commerce board of directors. Simpson also owned and operated the Sears Catalog store in Gatesville. 
Simpson also served as the regional sales manager for Medical Plastics, which is now known as the international company, Laerdal. Simpson’s region covered five states. 
Simpson also was the founder of the Gatesville Senior Center and served as the director until 1980. She received the ‘Citizen of the Year’ award in 1979 from the Gatesville Chamber of Commerce and was the first woman in Gatesville to ever receive that award. 
“The commitment she had to her family and her community, the commitment she had to Gatesville and Coryell County is why all of you are here today and why it’s an honor for me to be here and recognize Barbara,” Farrell said. 
Simpson’s youngest daughter, Martie, also spoke briefly about her mother as well. 
“I’m honored and blessed to have been raised by- you heard the list - this most amazing woman, and I can tribute all my success to my mom and to my wonderful dad,” Martie said. 
Martie went on to list more of her mother’s accomplishments, specifically after she took office as the County Clerk. 
“When she first was elected Coryell County Clerk, almost 29 years ago, the office was manual. It was antiquated, and Mom went in and said, ‘We’re gonna change this,’ so she did her research. She found a way to automate the system. She was one of the leaders in Texas to follow a paperless initiative, but also keeping the integrity of these amazing documents that we have in the vault.” 
Martie said her mother is responsible for how Coryell County has been able to keep its documents throughout history. 
Martie also shared a brief story that showed how self-sufficient her mother is. 
“You know, Mom has always been big into technology and automating and finding ways to do things faster and smarter,” Martie said. This is a long time ago when your computer monitors like as big as a horse. I go into Mom’s office, and she’s got her computer on her desk,wide open she’s working on it. [I said] ‘Mom, what are you doing?’ and she says, ‘I need more memory on my computer.’ I was like, ‘Mom, call the IT department.’ She said, ‘Martie, it’s the County. The IT department means someone from Waco or Temple drives here and drives back and pay travel. I’ve got this.’ And she did.”
Martie also mentioned how her mother continued to go into the office every day during the COVID-19 pandemic, even as other County Clerks around the state started working from home. 
“Mom says, ‘If my team has to be at the courthouse every single day, I’m gonna be right there with them,’” Martie said. “She’s a tremendous leader.”
Martie added that she is happy but also scared for her mom to finally retire and shared how her mother completed the Bataan Death March, a 26.20-mile road march in New Mexico with her daughters after she turned 60, and again after her 70th birthday. Martie said she expected her mother would have all the time in the world to train now that she was retiring.
Martie also presented her mother with a signed pop-up album from country singer Randy Rogers, with a congratulations message for her retirement. 
Surrounded by the Coryell County Commissioners and other elected officials, Judge Trent Farrell presented Simpson with a wooden plaque, in the shape of Texas, recognizing her retirement after 28 years as the County Clerk.