Hi.  I am Mary (Moore) Johnson, Clerk of Circuit Court of Santa Rosa County.  I am honored and humbled that the citizens of Santa Rosa County have elected me as their Clerk since 1994.  I am seeking re-election and I am asking for your support on August 14, 2012.  

I was born and raised here in Santa Rosa County.  My great grandfather, Daniel Jackson Dozier, settled in the Ward Basin Community in East Milton in 1904, moving from Dozier, Alabama area.  My grandfather and grandmother, Steeley and Lizzie Moore moved with my father, Clinton Moore, from Falco, Alabama in 1912.  My father was about 10 months old when this move occurred.  After their move to Santa Rosa County, five other children were born and raised in this county, being James D. Moore, Lena Mae Moore Grimes, Thomas E. Moore, John W. Moore and Dozier Durward Moore.  Five of these six children raised their family here in Santa Rosa County.   I am in the fourth generation in this family.  My mother, Laura Gay Moore was born and raised in the Dixonville community.  Her parents were Willie and Alice Elizabeth Polk Gay.  They raised five children: my mother, Jim Gay, Thelma Gay Pace, Ruby Gay and Nora Gay Poore.  I am of the fifth generation in this family.   I have said all this to let you know how important this county is to me.   All of my adult working years have been in service to the citizens, less two years when I accompanied my husband to military duty stations.

I married Thomas L. Johnson in February 1964 and we have one daughter, Lorinda.  She has two daughters, Lauren and Layne. She and both grandchildren were born here in Santa Rosa County and live here as well.  My family is very important to me.  The most important thing in my life other than my Lord, is my family.  My work for the citizens of this county is next.  

I attended Harold Elementary School through the eighth grade, and was then bused into Milton High School for my high school years, graduating in 1961.  I started in the 12th grade working at the Clerk’s Office for Mr. Ray C. Helms, making $.75 per hour.  After graduation in 1961, I started working full time in the Clerk’s Office making $180.00 month.  I worked for Mr. Helms until he ended his career as Clerk in 1972.  Mr. Gerald Barnes became Clerk of Courts at the end of 1972 and I worked for him until December, l992.  In 1993, Mr. Mike McLellan became Clerk of Courts until his death on June 1, 1994.  I feel so honored to have worked for these three men.  I respected them and I learned so much from their leadership.  I was then appointed Interim Clerk on June 1, 1994 until the election in that year.  I ran for the office to serve the last two years of Mr. McLellan’s term and I was elected in November, 1994.  I have been elected in 1996, 2000, 2004, and 2008.  I feel so privileged to have served these years as Clerk of Circuit Court.  During the years working for Mr. Helms, Mr. Barnes and Mr. McLellan, I worked in various departments in the Clerk’s Office.  When I was appointed, I was the Supervisor of the Recording Department and the Clerk’s Office Finance Department.

I feel that I am uniquely qualified to be the Clerk of Courts and hope that you will support in this endeavor.




A re-cap of my experience:   

•  50 years experience in the Clerk’s Office

• 18 years as Clerk of Circuit Court, Santa Rosa County   
• Trained and Qualified   
• Certified Clerk of the Circuit Court since 1997
• Dedicated to Public Service

For further information about me, please look under ABOUT link on this webpage.


I look forward to my continued service as your dedicated Clerk of Court.

Warmest regards,

Mary