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'All I ever wanted to be was a country lawyer'
Friend and fellow judge Cobb has been a friend and fellow judge with Crow for decades. She is from Evergreen and was district judge there for years before moving to a state appellate court. The Democrat defeated incumbent Chief Justice Drayton Nabers, a Republican, in the 2006 general election. "This is not the first time I've ever worn a robe in this courtroom," she explained, noting that she has presided over cases in Clarke County. She lauded Crow "for working with people and trying to do justice for two and a half decades." Crow has been circuit judge since 1995 but was first appointed to be Clarke County district judge in 1980. Judges have enormous jobs She said a judge has an enormous responsibility, "deciding whether people keep their homes or lose them, whether they keep their children or lose them, whether they keep their reputations, freedom ...even their lives." She said judges and the court system are about "fixing people...helping people put their lives back together." She credited Crow. "He cared and was going to do what was right in spite of the political consequences." In his remarks, Crow paraphrased the late Sen. Sam Ervin of North Carolina. "All I ever wanted to be was a country lawyer." Like being struck by lightning To laughter from the audience he explained, "One day I was just standing around and got appointed judge rather than being struck by lightning." He was elected and then re-elected until this past year when he announced his retirement. "I'm going to go back and be what I always wanted to be, just a country lawyer," he concluded. Jackson attorney Mac McCorquodale spoke for the First Judicial Circuit Bar Association. The circuit is composed of Choctaw, Clarke and Washington counties. He said Crow always treated peo- ple fairly in his court, including lawyers, especially young lawyers just starting their practices. Out of town attorneys were treated fairly. "He sometimes even treated them better than we [local lawyers] wanted them treated," he deadpanned. He called Crow a "unifier and not a divider," adding, "that's important with all the power judges have." Credited for courthouse annex McCorquodale credited Crow's "steady persistence" in pushing for the Clarke County courthouse annex now under construction. Without his help, the annex may have never been built. Grove Hill attorney Daryl Drinkard recognized Shirley Robinson, saying she had been a good compliment to Judge Crow over the years. He poked a little fun at Crow, saying how everyone knew how unorganized he could be a times. Robinson, on the other hand, is the "Queen of Organization." Too, "There is no more laid back person that Judge Crow." Robinson, though, was anything but so Crow was often a calming influence on her, Drinkard said. 32 years of service Robinson has 32 years of service to the state and has worked for Crow virtually his entire time in office, since 1981. Robinson thanked everyone for coming and thanked Crow. "Judge has been so good to me," she said. Brother Don Newton, Robinson's pastor and a former classmate of Crow's, offered an invocation and benediction. He noted that neither he or Crow made the most likely to succeed list in high school. "Little did we [his classmates] think he would become a judge...or me a minister," he said. Callie Deitz, Family Court and Judicial College Director, presented Crow and Robinson with plaques. She has been tapped by Cobb to become administrative director of courts. Deitz said that back in the 1980s when a court referral officer program was being piloted, Crow agreed to help her in the First Judicial Circuit. The program went on to become a staple and she said his help made it possible. After the program guests enjoyed refreshments and talking with the two honorees. Former rivals enjoy the day And the day proved that time heals all wounds.
Former Circuit Judge Rich Pearson of Leroy, clasped Crow and told him retirement was great and that he would certainly enjoy it. The two judges laughed and no reference was made to the bitter 1994 campaign when Crow defeated Pearson for the circuit judgeship.
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