—
After 17 years of donning a suit and tie and practicing probate law as a family attorney, Charles C. Woodroof slipped on a black robe Sunday as the new Limestone County probate judge.
Woodroof, 46, took the oath of office in front of an overflow crowd in the Clinton Street annex commission chambers Sunday afternoon.
He ran unopposed in the Nov. 6 general election after defeating City Municipal Judge Don Mansell in the Republican primary in March.
“Biggest thing I can say is growing up in Limestone County (is) you’re told your whole life that Limestone County’s the smallest county in the state,” he said. “And it is, land area-wise. But when you go to campaign countywide, it’s a big county.
“Everybody got behind our exciting, energetic campaign from day one last January. We ran hard through the primary. Thankfully we didn’t have opposition in the general election in November but it wouldn’t have been possible without all of them.”
Woodroof takes office today and replaces Stan McDonald, who was appointed by Gov. Robert Bentley in May 2011. Prior to McDonald, Mike Davis had served as probate judge from 1982 until 2011.
The probate judge is the county’s chief election officer and works closely with the general public in handling domestic matters, such as wills, marriage licenses or adoption.
“If people need something, they can come knock on the door, sit down with the probate judge and get direction, whether they’re getting a marriage license, adopting a child, going through a family situation of a mentally ill family member or an elderly family member that’s incompetent or incapacitated that needs a guardian or conservatorship or probating a will,” said Woodroof, who has two sons, Foster and Johnston, with his wife Genie. “Lots of times, unfortunately, death in a family brings out sides that people have never seen. And being able to bring a sense of experience to that position having practiced in this court for about 16 1/2 years, I’m looking forward to the opportunity to help people in this office.”
—The News Courier intern Rebecca Croomes contributed to this report.
Local News
Related Photos
-
Genie Woodroof places a judicial robe on her husband Charles Woodroof after he was sworn in as Limestone County probate judge Sunday afternoon. News Courier/Rebecca Croomes
Discussion
January 14, 2013
Charles Woodroof sworn in as new probate judge
- Local News
-
- Athens Utilities to close Clinton near U.S. 72
- US gas prices up 11 cents over past 2 weeks
- Tornadoes slam Plains, Midwest; 1 dead in Okla.
-
The Big One: Preparing for mid-America earthquake
No one alive has experienced a major earthquake in the Midwest, yet geologists say it’s only a matter of time. That puts a lot of uncertainty on disaster officials.
-
Residents ride out storm on Roy Long Road
When the group emerged, a large tree had narrowly missed the home, limbs lay everywhere and a smaller tree was snapped in half in the front yard.
- Possible tornado surprises Athens
-
West Limestone man killed in lawn mower accident
A man from West was killed Thursday when he drowned after his lawn mower tipped over into a pond.
-
EXCLUSIVE: Photos of Limestone County tornado
- UPDATE: EMS reports minor storm damage, no injuries
- Rodeo festivities tonight postponed
- More Local News Headlines
Raw: Accused US Spy Reportedly Leaves Russia
AP CEO: Records Seizure 'Unconstitutional'
Fatal Hot Air Balloon Accident in Turkey
Tornadoes, Storms Strike Midwest
'Babyland': Camp Lejeune's Toxic Legacy?
Raw: Heavy Tornado Damage in Shawnee, Okla
Probe Begins After Conn. Commuter Trains Crash
NTSB Begins Investigation Into Conn. Train Crash
Lotto Fever Sweeps the Country
Coffee Run Leads to Hatchet Hitchhiker Arrest
Fmr. IRS Head Insists No Politics in Targeting
CDC: Fecal Bacteria Common in Swimming Pools
Could Tobacco Be the Next Biofuel?
Wash. State Releases Draft Rules for Legal Pot
