NEWBERRY — Beth Folk is no stranger to Newberry County. In fact, she has lived in Newberry all of her life. She is also your Democratic candidate running for Newberry County Clerk of Court.
Folk was born to Charles W. Price and Alma M. Price, who are both deceased. Her brother, Wingard Price, is also deceased.
She has two children, Jamie Davis and Casey Ruff and three grandchildren — twins Brady and Brandon who are juniors at Newberry High School, and a granddaughter, Brynn Davis who is three and a half years old.
Folk is a 1970 graduate of Newberry High School and has been married to Jimmy Folk for 45 years.
Folk first became involved with the court system in 1977 through Mildred Harmon who hired first her, where she has been in the office ever since.
“When I first started out in the Clerk of Courts Office, I started out in real estate, and throughout the years, I’ve worked in all areas of the courthouse. I’ve worked in all areas of the Clerk of Courts Office, and when I left real estate I started in family and civil court. Then when Ms. Bowers became Clerk of Court, I became her Deputy Clerk and I started doing criminal court,” said Folk.
Folk made the decision to run for Clerk of Court after finding out Jackie Bowers would not be returning. This was a decision that Folk thought long and hard about before pursuing.
“I decided to run because I love the job, the people I work with, meeting all of the citizens that come in and just helping the public,” she said.
As Clerk of Court, Folk said she will be an active member. Her responsibilities, if elected, will include overseeing the office and being anywhere she needs to be to manage the office.
Folk’s main goal includes continuing to provide the most effective service and assistance to the residents of Newberry County when they come to the courthouse.
She also wants to continue to maintain and protect the legal documents and land records that are kept at the Clerk of Court’s Office. The Clerk of Court Office is currently making progress in automating record storage and retrieval, allowing citizens to obtain documents without long lines.
“People should vote for me because I’ve been employed with the Clerk of Courts for 38 years and I’ve been Deputy Clerk for 26 years. I know the job,” she said. “I’ve just been in it all my life, and the support from the community has been amazing. My husband has been out putting up signs. He’s really been there for me while I’m working and getting them out there. My children have been a big support for me and the staff has been really supportive.”
Folk said she will work hard to maintain the integrity and pride that the office holds.
“It would mean a great deal to me if I was elected Clerk of Court, because I really feel capable of doing the job and I think that I would do the job well,” she said. “I would just like to thank Ms. Bowers for all her support. She has been a great mentor, a wonderful friend, boss and has taught me a lot.”