Since her appointment in April 2008, Emilie Mims has served Escambia County as probate judge — a position she hopes to keep for another term. On Monday, Mims announced her plan to run for the office as a Republican.

Mims was appointed to the position of probate judge by then-Gov. Bob Riley.

“It is a great honor to serve the citizens of our county as probate judge,” Mims said. “My work with the business community has given me the communication and computer skills necessary to enhance customer serve and office efficiency. I look forward to continuing this progress.”

Mims is a native of Atmore who graduated from Escambia County High School and attended Birmingham Southern and Samford University. In 1967, she married John Mims, an Atmore native and pharmacist in the community. The couple was married for 36 years before John’s death in 2003. Together, they had two children, Jason and Rachael, and five grandchildren. She is a life-long member of Trinity Episcopal church in Atmore, where she serves on the vestry.

Mims said her compassion for her fellow man gives her a unique look at the position she now holds.

“On a personal level, I have many opportunities to help others during difficult times,” Mims said. “I feel that my life experience has given me a depth of knowledge and a measure of compassion to do this well.”

Mims gives her mother, Patricia McKenzie, credit for her inspiration to serve others. McKenzie served as mayor of the City of Atmore for more than 10 years.

Mims’ time on the bench has given her an opportunity to handle more than 1,000 cases in probate court. Those cases included estates, guardian/conservatorships, eminent domain, mental commitments, name changes and adoptions. Her extensive work in those fields have given her an opportunity to partner with county agencies to present seminars on adoption law and heir property over the last two years. She is an active participant in the judicial training for probate judges offered at the University of Alabama Law Institute.

In addition to matters of probate, Mims is also the chief election official for the county. That position has put her in a position to oversee multiple elections beginning with the presidential primary in 2008. Additionally, the position has found Mims participating in the school of the 175 poll workers which she appoints and schedules. She was successful in obtaining grant funding to improve signage and assessability at polling locations in 2010.

Prior to becoming probate judge, Mims served for 17 years as executive director of the Atmore Area Chamber of Commerce. During her time as its leader, the chamber experienced tremendous growth both in membership and programs. She was directly involved in the establishment of Leadership Atmore, Williams Station Day and the Atmore Heritage Park. Following the hurricanes that hit Atmore, she spearheaded a project to replace trees. her leadership gained her the Alabama cooperative Extension system’s “community Achievement of the Year” award for her contributions to urban forestry. She is a graduate of the U.S. Chamber’s institute for Organizations Management.

Mims has served on both county and state boards including the alabama Preservation Alliance, Escambia County Department of Human Resources, jefferson Davis Advisory board and the Atmore YMCA. She is currently a member f the Escambia County Healthcare Authority board, the D.W. McMillan Hospital and Atmore community Hospital boards having served since 2001.
She was a charter member of the Escambia County Healthcare Alliance serving from 1995 to 2003. She was Atmore’s first woman rotarian and is a past president and Paul Harris Fellow with the organization. In 2009, she was presented with the Atmore Area Chamber of Commerce’s Lifetime Achievement Award.