Sampson County is undergoing a transformation, with many department heads and those in vital county positions leaving. Now, the county is losing another familiar face — a woman who has been with the county for nearly four decades.

After seeing the election of seven different men to the nation’s highest office, just as many to Sampson County’s sheriff’s position and countless others to various posts throughout the county and its municipalities, Sylvia Thornton is retiring from the Board of Elections after 39 years.

On Jan. 2, it will be 39 years exactly, Thornton noted.

Earlier this week, county manager Rick Moorefield told the Sampson County Board of Commissioners Thornton would be leaving the position at the end of January. The county is beginning to advertising for the open post.

Thornton’s would be big shoes to fill, attested county officials. The Board of Elections director said the daily grind just became more than she wanted to handle.

“I’ve met a lot of good folks over the years, from both parties,” Thornton attested. “I have loved my work, and I still do. I just don’t like getting up in the morning to come to work. I’m tired of the responsibility. It’s just not fun anymore.”

After nearly 40 years, Thornton has earned a break. Able to now collect a Social Security check, Thornton said she plans to “spend more time with my grandbabies and spend a lot of time at the beach.”

She said she will miss the work and, most definitely, the people who she works with and has interacted with over time — and has not completely closed the door on a return to the Board of Elections.

“There’s been some good people over the years,” said Thornton. “It’s going to be hard to leave. I’ll come in if they need help. I’ll do whatever they need me to do to help whoever is coming in. I don’t mind coming in a few days a week.”

That will likely be welcome news. County officials know how vital a cog Thornton became to the local elections wheel over the years.

In February 2008, the Sampson County Board of Commissioners voted to give her a $10,000 pay hike, immediately effective, that boosted her pay to $56,464. The pay raise was said to be in line with what directors at other election boards were receiving, but more importantly, acted to retain an experienced person.

Then, officials voiced fears of an adverse impact Thornton’s retirement would have on Board of Elections operations if it came just before what would be one of the biggest voter turnouts in this country’s history.

County officials said at the time, with the 2008 primaries rolling around and the November 2008 general election on the horizon, it would prove most feasible to grant a raise to Thornton, keeping a heavily experienced person in the position and sidestepping the cost and time that would be invested in training a replacement.

For Thornton, that 2008 general election stands out amid her many memories, due largely to the massive voter turnout.

“We’d never voted 50 percent (of the eligible population), and we voted 73 percent,” said Thornton. “Over half of them voted in (the main Board of Elections office) during early voting.”

Just before that election, county officials touted the status of the Sampson County Board of Elections as “tops in the state” in preparation, system controls and compliance with state and federal laws. Thornton has been an integral part of that, they said.

“Sampson County is very proud of Ms. Thornton’s service and would like to see her finish her career following the national election and to plan for an orderly transition when the time is right for her and the county,” then-county manager Scott Sauer said in February 2008.

For the county, that time is now.

Chris Berendt can be reached at 910-592-8137, ext. 121, or by email at sicrime@myclintonnc.com.