HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — Longtime Cabell County Clerk Karen Cole died Friday after suffering from an extended illness.
Cole began working in the clerk’s office in 1987. She was appointed to the elected clerk’s job in 2001 and then ran and was elected to fill the unexpired term the next year. Cole was the first woman elected to serve as county clerk in Cabell County. She was reelected three times.
Secretary of State Mac Warner said her learned of Cole’s death Friday evening.
“Karen Cole was not only respected for the good work she did at home in Cabell County but she was equally admired for her leadership throughout the state. Karen was instrumental in the effort to restore voters’ confidence in the election process,” Warner said in a statement released by his office.
The Cabell County Commission will be in charge of appointing Cole’s replacement.