On Monday morning, State Court Judge Jon Dennis swore in a new Probate Judge at the Chattooga County Courthouse.  Judge Becky Duke will be filling the unexpired term of long-time Probate Judge Jon Payne.

Judge Dennis said, ” I was honored and humbled to be asked to swear in Judge Duke to complete Judge Payne’s term. While Judge Payne is sorely missed already, those of us who know how Becky has long served her boss, we can’t help believing the Court is in very good and capable hands. If I can be bold enough to surmise his thoughts, he would have wanted her to sit at his desk and on the bench until a new judge is elected and sworn.”

Judge Duke has had a long career in the Chattooga County Probate Office.  She told WZQZ News on Monday that she came to work for Judge Jon Payne on February 6, 1976, almost a year after Judge Payne was sworn in on February 26, 1975.

Judge Duke will remain in office until a new Probate Judge is sworn in at the end of this year.

WZQZ News joins with everyone in Chattooga County in wishing Judge Duke the best and expressing our gratitude for her many years of service to the people of our county.