Longtime Lauderdale County circuit clerk Donna Jill Johnson dies
Donna Jill Johnson, a longtime Lauderdale County circuit clerk who served as a trusted source on election matters, has died, a Facebook post mourning her said.
The post said Johnson advised and assisted the author during his first political campaign in 2003 and later served as a close, silent adviser on election issues during his terms as lieutenant governor and the first six years of his governorship. The author called her a knowledgeable, caring professional and wrote that she was truly a circuit clerk’s “Circuit Clerk.”
The post said the author last spoke with Johnson just after Christmas and did not know it would be their final conversation. The author wrote that Johnson could speak candidly with lawmakers and executives, at one point noting she could call the governor on his cell phone and say whatever was on her mind.
Circuit clerks in Mississippi counties oversee court records and play a key role in election administration, making the office significant to local government and voters. The post did not provide details about Johnson’s age or cause of death.
This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.
