Williamsburg County Clerk of Court the Honorable Carolyn Williams recently announced her retirement. Williams last day will be December 31. Williams’ early announcement will offer all parties who plan to run for her position ample time to ensure a smooth and effective transition. However, her decision was not an easy one. “My words cannot describe the great honor I feel for having the privilege to serve the people of Williamsburg County,” said Williams. “What a wonderful experience it has been for me and I greatly appreciate all the love and support the entire county has given me.”
A native of Williamsburg County, Williams reflected on her 39 years of service by recalling her day-to-day tenure in the historical Williamsburg County Courthouse. She considers her first day, September 3, 1973, as a historical one for both her and her family. “That was the day I began working in the Clerk of Court Office. Hired by the late Winnie P. Jones, as a clerk typist/Microfiche/”Girl Friday,” said Williams. “That was my first step onto a road that would bring me to this day and time.”
Williams and her family had recently relocated back to Kingstree after working up the corporate ladder in New York. “I had returned to my roots,” said Williams. “However, I was not aware and did not see or feel (as a child) the many desegregation situations and problems that the state of South Carolina was struggling with during time in our history.”  Williams would later discover only two other African-Americans – Probation Agent Lloyd Rush and janitor Elijah Fulton were employed in the courthouse.
The duty of the Clerk of Court Office is to provide the day-to-day operations of the Real Property Division (deeds, mortgages, plats, etc.), General Sessions, Civil (Common Pleas) and Family Court. Williams remembered as a newcomer she didn’t know that Clerk of Court/RMC was an elected position but that didn’t stop her from pursuing the position. “What I did know was that I needed a job and that I had acquired the necessary skills and experience to be an asset to Mrs. Jones’ staff.”
On July 23, 1986 she was appointed Clerk of Court to serve the remainder of Jone’s term, which was expiring on December 31, 1988. After that, she ran unopposed for the office six consecutive terms. “I have never taken lightly the duties and responsibilities of this office and have always strived to administer them in an efficient and professional manner; instilling in the employees that I supervise a sense of service for all – not only the judges and lawyers, but every person that steps into this historical building,” said Williams who also serves as a Passport Agent.
Williams would recall a moment in her early childhood that she would later discover how close her ancestral roots are to the historical structure. Nearly 60 years ago Williams was on an outing with her grandmother, the late Ethel W. Hanna when she attempted to run across the grass in front of the “big white building on Main Street.” I was severely scorned and told “never” to do that again,” said Williams. “Being a small child of curiosity, I was puzzled as to why I could not walk on the grass. Now I know.” As the family historian, Williams discovered that her grandfather, the late Robbie Hanna’s grandfather (Bosun/a/k/a Boatswain Hanna) was a Civil Rights Activist, bodyguard, and friend of the Honorable S.A. Swails. Boatswain Hanna was shot in front of the courthouse while defending and saving Swail’s life from Confederate soldiers. “Now I understand why my grandmother was so protective of me ‘to not walk on the grass in front of that big white building,’” said Williams. “To my ancestors, this building and its grounds are sacred. My great-great-great grandfather was shot and wounded in battle on the front lawn supporting human rights.”
Williams is grateful to the citizens for allowing her to serve as deputy clerk for over 13 years and clerk of court for over 25 years and as the first African-American in the state to hold the position. She will cherish untold memories of those who she walked side-by-side with and of the experiences “and often dramatic” court trials that she was so much a part of. “I know I will miss tremendously everything and everyone that work here,” said Williams. “I know too well that none of my accomplishments would have happened with my family and my staff that I love like a family. Hopefully, I have made a difference in someone’s life.”