Five Smith County employees were honored during Commissioners Court on Tuesday, July 29, for their combined 95 years of service.
Treasurer Kelli White was recognized for serving Smith County for 25 years.
“We want to thank you for 25 years. That’s been a long haul,” County Judge Neal Franklin said. “It’s been a pleasure.”
Ms. White was sworn in to office on March 1, 2005. She worked as assistant treasurer from July 2000 to March 2005.
She is a graduate of Robert E. Lee High School and Stephen F. Austin State University. She is a Certified Investment Officer, is a Past President of the County Treasurers Association of Texas and a board member for the Texas Association of Counties Risk Management Pool.
Ms. White is retiring from the county on July 31, and Assistant Treasurer Antonia Rawlings is being appointed to take her place.
“We are excited for you and appreciate all the work you have done,” Franklin told Ms. White.
She said she plans to do some traveling and help care for her parents when she retires.
20 YEARS
Smith County’s longest-serving part-time employee was honored.
Vickie Perry has worked part-time in the Treasurer’s Office for two decades.
Treasurer Kelli White said it is very unusual to have a part-time employee for that long.
“I’ve known her all my life,” she said. “She lights up the room when she walks in. She is kind to everyone and helpful to anyone who needs it.”
After retiring from teaching in Whitehouse for 30 years, Ms. Perry joined Smith County part-time while continuing to teach for eight more years at All Saints Episcopal School.
For the Treasurer’s Office, she pays those serving jury duty. She also helps with accounts payable, bank statements and office filings.
“I love this job because I am a people person,” she said. “I also get to see my former students all grown up and reporting for jury duty!”
Photo: Smith County Treasurer Kelli White recognized Vickie Perry for her 20 years of service to the county Tuesday in Commissioners Court.
20 YEARS
Precinct 1 Constable Ralph Caraway Jr. was recognized for 20 years of service to the county.
Smith County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Gary Pinkerton said it was an honor and a privilege to recognize him during Commissioners Court.
Pinkerton said he knew him when he was playing football for John Tyler High School and hired him to work at the Sheriff’s Office in 2005.
“I’ve seen him grow from a detention officer to patrol sergeant, vice sergeant, lieutenant and captain, to an investigator at the DA’s Office.
“It is an honor and a privilege to see somebody young come from the neighborhood to work for the community,” Pinkerton said. “Precinct 1 has a constable they are proud of. He goes out every day, he has integrity, he cares about citizens and more than all, he is a child of God.”
Pinkerton said Caraway Jr. is the pastor of the Greater St. Mary Baptist Church, which he is a member of.
“It is amazing for me to be here for 20 years,” Caraway Jr. said. “Chief Pinkerton gave me the opportunity for me to be a leader.”
He also thanked his father, Commissioner Ralph Caraway Sr.
“To the greatest father a kid could have and the best role model a man could have. I’m here because of that man right there,” he said.
Caraway Jr. took the oath of office as Precinct 1 Constable on January 24, 2023, after being appointed by the Commissioners Court.
Photo: Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Gary Pinkerton presents Precinct 1 Constable Ralph Caraway Jr. with an award for his 20 years of service to the county Tuesday in Commissioners Court.
20 YEARS
Shaneikwa Sanders was recognized during for 20 years of service to the Smith County Juvenile Services Department.
Juvenile Services Director Ross Worley said his department is blessed to have tenured officers.
“We celebrate and recognize Shaneikwa Sanders today,” he said. “We are blessed and fortunate to have her. She has been a dedicated field officer.”
Worley said good employees make up the recipe for success and Ms. Sanders is a big part of that for his department.
Ms. Sanders began her career at Juvenile Services after graduating from Jarvis Christian University with a criminal justice degree. She started as a detention officer but soon became a probation officer.
“When I took the oath (of a probation officer), it was to make a difference in the youth of our community,” Ms. Sanders said. “To be a change agent and 20 years later the same is true. I love my job, and I remain passionate and committed to serving the youth of Smith County.
She said the most rewarding part of her job is when she receives letters/phone calls and or visits from ex-probationers, thanking her for making a difference in their life and they went on to live productive lives, successful in their adult lives. She said she also loves fellowshipping with her coworkers and attending county employee appreciation luncheons.
10 YEARS
Robbie Williamson was recognized for 10 years of working at the Smith County AgriLife Extension Office.
“Robbie puts the true meaning in the word service,” Smith County Extension Agent Clint Perkins said, adding that she has an infectious smile and a contagious laugh.
Perkins said she helps everyone who calls or comes into their office.
“We are so fortunate to have you,” he said.
Before coming to Smith County, Ms. Williamson worked for Carrier Corp. for
25 years as a production tester for Rooftop Air Conditioning Manufacturing.
“I decided to make a career change, enrolled in Kilgore College, received an associate’s degree in office professional and came to work for Smith County AgriLife as secretary for Family and Community Health and Better Living for Texans agents.”
She said she thought agriculture would be all about farming and ranching. She had no idea about all the various wings of extension, such as 4-H for youth, nutrition, trainings and educational programming promoting healthy lifestyles for people of all walks of life.
“This job is very rewarding because we are making a positive difference in the lives of the citizens in Smith County,” she said.
She continued her education, earning a Bachelor of Applied Sciences in Business, and became the Administrative Assistant/Office Manager for AgriLife.
“I look forward to each day and enjoy working with the professional staff we have, as well as the ‘team’ environment we share in the office as we strive to make living better, healthier and more fulfilling for the citizens we serve.”
Additional employees celebrating work anniversaries who were not in court include:
15 Years: Justin Eakin and Xochilt Benitez, Sheriff’s Office;
Melissa Wilgus, District Attorney’s Office;
10 Years: Matthew Christian, Sheriff’s Office (he worked for the Sheriff’s Office for seven years prior, left and returned to serve another 10 years);
10 Years: Norman Halbrooks, Sheriff’s Office (he had two years prior experience with the Sheriff’s Office before leaving and returning for another 10 years);
5 Years: Christine Bird, Cod
y Wilks and Duane Rohde, Sheriff’s Office.
Photo: HR Directo
r Esmeralda Corona presents Smith County Treasurer Kelli White with an award for her 25 years of service to the county Tuesday in Commissioners Court.
