June 18, 2025
By: Dwayne Page
Hello Nicole!
Meet Nicole Wright, the next DeKalb County Clerk and Master for the Chancery Court.
Appointed by Chancellor Ronald Thurman to succeed longtime Clerk and Master Debra Malone upon her retirement effective June 27, Wright will be taking her oath of office that afternoon at 4 p.m. in Smithville. Wright’s first full day will be Monday, June 30.
“I am truly honored to be considered for this position, and I look forward to assuming the duties of the office,” Wright told WJLE Tuesday.
“I learned about the opening a few months ago. I immediately began to pray about it and consider it. I submitted my resume to the Chancellor and later interviewed with him. A little over a week ago, he informed me that I got the job,” said Wright.
Born and raised in DeKalb County, Wright has made public service a lifelong career.
“I began my adventures in public service here in DeKalb County in 1995. I went to work for the DeKalb County Ambulance Service. I was an EMT (Emergency Medical Technician) for 25 years working at various times in that position. I served at the 911 Dispatch under the direction of former Sheriff Lloyd Emmons and later became a dispatcher for the City of Smithville Police and Fire departments. I subsequently worked at the DeKalb County E-911 centralized dispatch center when it relocated to its new facility for a brief period,” stated Wright.
“Following that, I worked as a Deputy Clerk for former Circuit Court Clerk Katherine Pack for six years and ran for the position in the 2018 August election as the Democratic nominee when Ms. Pack chose not to seek re-election. I was subsequently employed by the Circuit Court Clerk’s Office of Warren County.
“During my career, I also worked for five years as an Office Administrator for local attorney Jeremy Trapp. I served as an Escrow Officer for DeKalb Title, LLC for five years. In October 2024, I became a Deputy Trustee at the DeKalb County Trustee’s office,” Wright said.
Nicole and her husband Jeff Wright reside in Smithville, and they have three daughters and four grandchildren. Jeff has also made a career in public service, both as a career firefighter for the City of Murfreesboro and as Deputy Chief and 39-year veteran firefighter of the Smithville Volunteer Fire Department.
“Smithville is our home, and I enjoy working near my family,” said Wright.
Nicole plans no major changes in the operation of the office and the two current employees will stay on including full time deputy clerk, Amanda Vaughn, and part time deputy clerk Sarah Evans.
“I am so grateful they have agreed to stay,” said Wright. “Debra has done a tremendous job in her many years of service, and I look forward to keeping that going. I certainly want to wish her all the best in her well-deserved retirement,” she said.
“I enjoy meeting new people and engaging in conversations. Our door remains open, and we are here to serve,” Wright concluded.