(This week The Columbian-Progress spotlights Marion County Chancery Court Deputy Clerk Elisha Moree.)
Q: When and where were you born?
A: I was born here in Columbia June 20, 1984.
Q: Where did you attend school?
A: I graduated from Columbia High School and went to dental hygiene school at Pearl River Community College.
Q: Where do you work? Tell us about your job/company.
A: I do the recording of the land records, help collect delinquent taxes, help file things in our Chancery Court department and I handle all of our Youth Court matters.
Q: What led you to your profession?
A: My high school junior year I started here part time with Mr. Cass (Barnes) just as an after-school job. I started off working in the court department in the back of the office and learned all about how it works. After Ms. Barbara Ham retired, I started working up front in the land department. I left the office for a few years working in dental hygiene then came back.
Q: What do you enjoy most about your job?
A: Helping the people that come in. There are some things we deal with in youth court, commitment proceedings and even land, people come in and just need help and information. Sometimes it takes a little digging, and I like being able to help somebody looking for information.
Q: What is the most challenging aspect of your job?
A: Sitting in the courtroom sometimes and knowing these things are going on in our community. We deal with some pretty tough things in the courtroom.
Q: What is the most important lesson you have learned in your career?
A: Trying to be positive and keeping a smile on your face because you never know what somebody else is going through. It could be the smallest thing that you help them with that completely changes their day. I’ve learned to always try my hardest because sometimes when they walk out of the office, you think, “Oh, I should have done that.” I try to be real careful to make sure I look into everything while they’re here and not put anything off.
Q: When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
A: A teacher. I wanted to be a cashier at Walmart, too, because I liked their cash registers. Matter of fact I got a cash register for my 8th birthday because I thought I wanted to be a cashier.
Q: What was your first job?
A: The summer before I came to work here in 2000, I was a lifeguard at the country club.
Q: Who is the person who has been most influential in your life?
A: I would say my parents, Lisa and Dudley Williamson and Frank and Kathy Prisk, and Mr. Cass. My parents because they instilled the work ethics and values I have today. I came to work here in 2000, and Mr. Cass taught me work ethic, how to treat people and how to help people.
Q: What is your spouse’s name?
A: Tony Moree. He is a lineman for Pearl River Valley.
Q: Do you have children?
A: I have two children. Emma is 8, and Jack is 4.
Q: If you could have anything for your last meal on earth, what would it be?
A: I would have the red snapper from Amar’s. That was my favorite meal in the world.
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go?
A: I’ve always wanted to go to the Grand Canyon. Pictures I don’t believe do it justice. I want to see it in person.
Q: What hobbies do you like to do in your spare time?
A: I like to make clothes and do any kind of crafts with material. I like to spend time with my family and friends.
Q: What do you enjoy about Columbia and Marion County?
A: I like that it’s a small community where you know a lot of people that come in and out. If you don’t know them, you probably have some type of connection to them. I like knowing the people and being able to help them.
Q: If you could have lunch with anyone from your life or history, who would it be and why?
A: My grandfather, Bill Gingell. One thing I miss most is he would stop by the office quite often about 11:30 and say, “It’s about time for lunch. Where do you want to go?” He passed away two years ago.
Q: If you didn’t have to worry about money, what would you do all day?
A: I love volunteering at the schools. I’m involved in the PTAs at both the elementary and primary school with Columbia. I would like to be more involved at the schools and help the teachers.
Q: What moment in your life has had the biggest impact on who you are today?
A: Becoming a parent because it puts a whole new perspective on why you try to be the person you want to be because you want your children to see it. Also, you want to invest in the community because you want them to have the same benefits of growing up in the community you had and go to the same schools you went to.
Q: What is one thing you want to do that you’ve never tried?
A: I would love to be able to take a full month to go see some places I haven’t. The Grand Canyon is at the top of the list, but I’ve always liked to see pictures of South Africa. I love the wildlife there, and I think it would be neat to go on a real safari. I’d like to see different areas of the world, ones that you can’t just take a weekend trip to.
Q: Using one word for each, what are your top three morals?
A: Honesty, faithful and perseverance.
Q: How would you like to be remembered?
A: To my kids and even younger generations, I would like to be remembered as a good role model. In general I’d like to be remembered as someone who was sincere, helpful, approachable and trustworthy.
— Joshua Campbell
Pictured Above: Marion County Chancery Court’s Elisha Moree began working in the office as a part-timer in high school and later decided to make a career out of it. She said she enjoys being able to help people find the information they are looking for and tries to be as thorough as possible. | Photo by Joshua Campbell
