When the primary election rolls around in August, Kenda Blount is hoping to change chairs in the same office where she has spent the last 30 years.
Blount has been a deputy clerk in the Tate County Circuit Court office since 1993, but now has her sights set on the top spot since Eddie Hadskey announced his retirement. Blount learned the ins and outs of the position after serving under two circuit clerks, Hadskey and the late Steve Lentz.
“Following Eddie's example of treating everyone who comes into our office the way we would like to be treated, I have made it more personal by treating each person as I would want my mom treated,” Blount said. “We need to be kind, to listen, to help, and to be the difference for the people we come in contact with.”
In 1993, she was hired by Lentz, and continued her tenure under Hadskey in the Tate County Circuit Court Clerk’s Office. While most people associate the circuit clerk’s office with voter registration and marriage licenses, Blount stated that the office is also responsible for civil court cases, judgment roll, felony cases, state Supreme Court appeals, the county Grand Jury, court and drug court payments, as well as county, state and federal elections.
The office also handles court terms and random court days and appearances. Blount says that communication is of utmost importance in the office, as the staff interacts with not only the public, but with judges, lawyers and court staff as well.
Blount, a native of Dallas, graduated from Berkner High School in Richardson, Texas in 1988. She attended Richland Community College and transferred to University of Arkansas at Little Rock. While at UALR, Blount met Independence native Cameron Blount, whom she married in 1992.
“He made sure I understood he was from an itty-bitty town, and he fully intended to go back to that small town. It was a sacrifice leaving my family and the big city I was used to, but little did I realize what that town would mean to me,” Blount explained.
The Blount’s became the parents of three sons, Kyle Avery, Cayman and Kenzee. Their children all attended East Tate Elementary and graduated from Independence High School. During her sons’ school years, Blount served as vice-president of the Senatobia Youth Soccer Program and helped to bring the soccer program to Independence High School. Blount was also active in East Tate and Independence PTO, and all booster club activities.
“We joked that the boys were our hobbies, because we were part of all that they did. Our time would come later. We were their biggest cheerleaders and not many games, performances, or activities were missed,” Blount said.
In 2018, Blount’s world was turned upside down when she lost her husband Cameron, and her mother 11 weeks later. The next year, her father passed away. Blount said becoming a widow and losing both her parents in a matter of 14 months made her more appreciative and aware of how precious life is.
These days she shares her testimony with grief share groups and is enjoying her first grandson, Cameron Ellis, who was born in February to son Kyle Avery and his wife, the former Lauren Seal. Both received their doctorates in physical therapy from the University of Mississippi Medical Center and are employed with Endurance/Athletico Physical Therapy.
Her son Cayman is engaged to Kristan Grammar. He is a graduate of Mississippi College and is currently attending Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary in Memphis and is youth pastor at Temple Baptist Church in Olive Branch.
Kenzee graduated from the University of Mississippi in 2022 and is obtaining his master’s degree at the University of South Carolina where he is a graduate assistant for the Department of Student Life. He is currently an intern at Binghamton University in upstate New York in the office of New Student Programs.
Blount is a member of Mt. Zion Church in Independence. She is the daughter-in-law of long time District 5 Election Commissioner Ellis Blount and his wife Lynda of Independence.
Blount feels serving under both Lentz and Hadskey affords her the knowledge, experience, and the will to keep the Tate County Circuit Clerk’s office up to the standards both men previously brought to the office.
“Their heart, time, dedication, and sacrifices have also been mine, as I have been by their sides making our office what it is today,” Blount said. “I would not be running for this office today if Eddie did not believe I could handle it and I am thankful for his years of mentoring me and working with me to better myself and our office. He is the true definition of leadership and a public servant. I have been so blessed to have him as my example for the last 25 years.”
Blount said almost 30 years of service, hard work, sacrifice, and dedication to Tate County led her to seek the position in August.
