The following item was submitted on behalf of Probate Judge Tony Brazier. – KtE

Polk County Probate Judge Tony L. Brazier announced on Monday, October 11, that he has filled the position of Chief Clerk of Probate Court with longtime Cedartown native Charles Bradley (Brad) Shelton.

Mr. Shelton joins the Probate Court following a long and distinguished career in Public Service in both Polk and Floyd County’s. He was sworn in a simple ceremony on Monday morning on the first-floor Courtroom of Courthouse No. 1 in front of a small group of staff, family and friends.

His mother, Ms. Carol Shelton held the Bible as Judge Tony Brazier administered the oath of office.

Mr. Shelton takes the place of Chief Clerk Kathy Blaylock, who passed away while in office back in 2019 and who served under Judge Linda Smith. Judge Smith never filled the post due to her upcoming retirement.

Chief Clerk’s like Blaylock and Shelton are a rare commodity said, Probate Judge Tony Brazier.

“It takes special people to fill this type of position and someone who has special compassion, trust, dedication, education, and skills, of both a personal and professional nature. I think he’ll make all us proud in his service to the court and the public,” he said.

“We’re very fortunate to have him as an integral part of our staff, Brazier added. “He has the heart of a servant and that’s what all of our staff has, the hearts of servants.”

Mr. Shelton attended and Graduated from Cedartown High School in 1988, later serving in management with the Atlanta Journal & Constitution. He attended Floyd College, (now Georgia Highlands College) in Rome and would later go on to serve as the Director of the Senior Living Assisted Living Home in Lindale, taking care of the elderly residents of the area and their families.

After leaving there, he then went on to join the staff at the Lester C. Litesey Funeral Home of Cedartown, serving for many, many years as a Funeral Service Assistant/Director and worked in all areas of the business. There, he served many families with the greatest of dedication, loyalty, compassion and professionalism.

He is already applying for the necessary credentials from the State of Georgia to further his formal education in the field of Probate Court, Vital Records, both Birth & Death Records, Marriage Records Management, Firearms Permits Registry, as well as Office and Personnel Management.

He holds many certifications through his long career and has worked with many church and civic groups.

Mr. Shelton has two sons, Chaz Shelton and Braden Shelton. Chaz has just Graduated from Cedartown High School and is now enrolled in the Georgia Northwestern Police Academy in their Law Enforcement Program and upon graduation from there, will be finishing his degree in Criminal Justice.

Braden is a junior at Cedartown High School and is a star Tennis Player with the CHS Tennis Team. He will graduate with honors in another year and plans to attend college, majoring in Political Science and Pre-Law.

The Shelton’s reside in Cedartown, where Brad is a member of the Southside Baptist Church.