On Dec. 16, Nan Colley, of the Bethel community, was sworn in as the first female clerk of the circuit court of Charlotte County.

“I feel it is an honor and privilege to serve as clerk of Charlotte County,” Colley said.

Over the years, Colley says she has enjoyed working with all the colleagues, past and present, in the clerk’s office and appreciates all the continued support.

“While working with Nan over the years, one of the many things that I have noticed is how she treats everyone with respect,” said Crystal Shepherd, deputy clerk.

“I cannot think of anyone who would be more knowledgeable and better qualified than Nan as Clerk of the Circuit Court.”

According to Colley, she first started working in the county offices on Feb. 2, 1976. “I was hired by the Board of Supervisors,” she said. She rotated amongst the county offices and gained a wide range of experience in the Treasurer’s Office, Commissioner of Revenue’s Office, Clerk’s Office, Board of Supervisor’s Office and the Commonwealth Attorney Office. She was first hired at the Clerk’s Office by Stuart B. Fallen, when he took office on Jan. 1, 1976 as Clerk. She became a Deputy Clerk in the spring of 1976 and was later given the title of Chief Deputy Clerk.

She is the 12th Clerk of Court and the only female elected as Clerk since Charlotte County was formed in 1765.

Colley is the daughter of the late Richard and Evelyn Royster of Drakes Branch. She has two daughters, Erin and Meredith Colley.