Lamar County Supervisors discussed the replacement of an election commissioner Monday at the board meeting after the death of District 1 Commissioner Jerry Dale Denham of Purvis on June 23.
County Administrator Joseph “Jody” Waits said the supervisors had to declare the seat vacant so the replacement could be reappointed in time for the Nov. 3 General Election.
“Short of any write-ins, the Board will appoint somebody to fill that,” he said. “Then if there is nobody with any other write-ins for the election, then the board will appoint someone again after the election.”
Denham, 77, whose funeral was held at Forrest Funeral Home on June 29, died at Asbury Hospice House. He was born on Jan. 16, 1943, in Crandall.
Denham graduated from the University of Alabama in 1967 with a Bachelor of Science degree in commerce and business administration. He spent many years in sales, including time at McMullan Motors and as manager of Cowboy Maloney's.
He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Rosalie (Maples) Denham; three children: Staci Cothran of Seminary, Jim (Judy) Denham of Laurel, and Michelle (Donny) Arnold of Hattiesburg; 10 grandchildren: Richie Cothran and Kathryn (Zach) Cothran Hester, both of Seminary, Josh (Amberly), and Amber, Rebekah, Moriah, and Grace Denham of Laurel, Michael and Jordan Arnold of Hattiesburg, and Lauren Arnold of Gulfport; two great grandchildren, Oakleigh and Dakota Hester; and sister, Barbara Loven of Katy, Texas.