June 17, 2025
By: Dwayne Page
Goodbye Debra!
Almost 26 years after becoming Clerk and Master for the DeKalb County Chancery Court, Debra Malone has announced her retirement, effective June 27.
Nicole Wright has been appointed to a six-year term as the new Clerk and Master by Chancellor Ronald Thurman to succeed Malone.
In an interview with WJLE recently, Malone explained that while she has been Clerk and Master since October 1999, she actually began working in the office almost 35 years ago when she was hired as a deputy clerk by former Clerk and Master John Robert Nixon in 1990.
“At the time I was working at Federal Mogul in the office when a friend and co-worker told me about a soon to be job opening in the courthouse. He knew about it because his wife had worked for another county official there. I checked on it and learned that an employee for Mr. Nixon was leaving so I came in and talked to John and he hired me. I’ve been here ever since,” said Malone.
Although she never expected the opportunity of a career in this line of work, Malone said she has always enjoyed the job, and Mr. Nixon (now deceased) was a great mentor to her.
“When I came to work in 1990 as deputy clerk for John I was 32 years old. My husband, Miles and I have one son, Granger, who had just turned 5 years old at that time. There were a few challenging times, trying to learn the job, transferring from handwriting everything in books to computers, trying to keep up with all the changes in the laws and proper procedures, but I can truly say I have loved this job. Mr. Nixon was so good to work with, and such a great teacher. He became a great friend to me. John and I had worked together for 9 years when he decided to retire” she continued.
Before Nixon stepped down, Malone said she let him know she was interested in the Clerk and Master position, but of course it was the Chancellor at the time Vernon Neal, who had to make the appointment. Malone remembered how she got the call from the Chancellor.
“I had previously let him (Nixon) know that I was interested in the position of Clerk and Master whenever he retired, and he had shared that with Chancellor Neal. I’ll never forget the phone call from Chancellor Neal, which I wasn’t expecting or prepared for, in which he said “So, tell me why you think you’d be a good Clerk and Master”. Of course, caught off guard, I was dumbfounded, and couldn’t answer immediately. Then he laughed and I relaxed a bit and was able to speak again,” explained Malone.
Not long after that phone call, Malone got the job when Nixon retired, and she is thankful to Chancellor Neal (now deceased) for the opportunity.
“I was appointed to the office on October 1st of 1999 and have always appreciated and enjoyed being the Clerk and Master for DeKalb County. I thank God always for the blessings this position has brought me and my family over the years, and hopefully I have done a good job for the county. My parents taught me to always do the best job possible at whatever I’m doing, and I’ve tried to do that,” said Malone.
In 2006, Chancellor Neal retired from the bench, and he was succeeded by Chancellor Ronald Thurman.
“I appreciate Chancellor Thurman so much and have enjoyed working with him for 19 years. He is a very considerate, caring and accommodating person and is always ready to assist us when needed,” said Malone.
As she prepares to leave the office, Malone said she is thankful to her current and past employees for their dedication and hopes they will remember her as a “good and fair boss”. Malone is also grateful to the public and others, especially the county commission, for their support.
“For many years it was just me and one deputy clerk but in 2019 the County Commission approved the hiring of a part-time clerk. That has improved the efficiency of this office,” said Malone. “And I have had some great deputy clerks. Judy Mathis and I worked together for more than 12 years before her retirement, and Amanda Vaughn has been with me since September of 2014. Both have been not only my co-workers but have come to be very good friends of mine. We’ve also had several part-time deputy clerks since 2019 including Sarah Evans, the sweet young lady who is working with us now,” she said.
“This position has been such a blessing to me and my family, and I have learned so much working with the court system,” Malone continued. “I’ve attended many training sessions and conferences offered by the Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts and by CTAS. It’s amazing to me that I have been in this office for more than 34 years and I’m still learning something new all the time. I’ve met a lot of good people and made several good friends over the years. Most of the attorneys have been so good to work with, and their secretaries are just great. When dealing with the public you get a mix of good and not so good, but the good outweighs the bad every time”.
Malone also fondly remembered longtime friend and real estate auctioneer Charles Atnip who often helped her with court ordered sales. Atnip passed away earlier this year.
“Over the years I’ve worked with a few different auctioneers through court ordered sales and dealt with some fine people. Most have always been very considerate and helpful in any way possible. The Charles D. Atnip Realty and Auction Company gave me my education in auctions,” explained Malone. “We spent many extremely hot days together, and 3 or 4 super cold, snowy or icy days doing auctions, but it was always good to work with them, and they always gave 100% no matter the size or dollar value of the sale. Charles Atnip was a good friend to me, and I miss him,” said Malone.
“As I approach my retirement, I realize I won’t be seeing and visiting with many of the people I’ve come to know so well, and that’s sad in many cases. I appreciate the time we’ve spent together. But I’m also preparing for a new phase of life in which clocks and appointments are less important, and the freedom of unscheduled days lies ahead. Thank you, DeKalb County,” said Malone.
Next week, the torch will pass to a new Clerk and Master and Malone wishes her successor well.
“Nicole Wright has accepted the position of Clerk and Master and will soon take the oath of office. I wish her the best and hope she enjoys her time as the DeKalb County Clerk and Master as much as I have,” said Malone.