Chief Judge Mike Keeley announced the retirement of Sandy Kennedy, Barton County Clerk of the Court.

Kennedy began her employment with the state on Jan. 12, 1981, as a trial court clerk in Barton County District Court. She worked in the clerk’s office until June 18, 1988, when she left that post to work as the administrative assistant for the Hon. Barry Bennington. She continued as Judge Bennington’s administrative assistant until September 2002, when she was hired as Clerk of the Court.

The job of clerk entailed supervising an office with approximately 10 people. She learned the functions of the clerk’s office and each and every division handled within that office, which includes criminal, juvenile, traffic, probate and civil. Other duties included managing the operating budget.

All the employees in the office, all of the judges and any of the people who work with Kennedy, including the public, have appreciated her ability, thoughtfulness and efficiency in performing her job duties, Keeley said. "She will be sorely missed from the day-to-day activities she has performed for the clerk’s office."

Kennedy’s last day in the office was last Friday. She will now become the senior pastor at Faith Community Church, where she will work with her husband Joe.