Chancery Court Judge Paula Drungole-Ellis was sworn in Friday at the Oktibbeha County Courthouse. Sons William Paul Ellis and George Ellis Jr., husband George Ellis Sr., Drungole-Ellis and retiring Chancery Court Judge Dorothy Colom. (Photo by Charlie Benton, SDN)
After winning the seat in November, Paula Drungole-Ellis was officially sworn in on Friday as a chancery judge for Place 3 on the Mississippi District 14 Chancery Court.
Drungole-Ellis won the seat over Starkville Vice Mayor and Ward 6 Alderman Roy A’ Perkins, and is one of 42 judges being sworn in across Mississippi over the next three weeks. She has practiced law in Starkville for 32 years, and served as Oktibbeha County Youth Court Judge for more than nine years. Senior Chancellor Dorothy W. Colom, who retired from the bench Monday, administered the oath of office at a ceremony at the Oktibbeha County Courthouse Friday morning.
Drungole-Ellis’ term on the Chancery Court bench began Tuesday.
Drungole-Ellis is an alumna of Rust College and the University of Kansas Law School. She is married to George Ellis Sr., and has three adult children: Portia Ellis, George Ellis Jr. and William Paul Ellis. She is a native of Oktibbeha County.
“I’m looking forward to serving as a Chancery Court judge, and I’m so excited,” Drungole-Ellis said. “I’m humbled.”
She said she hoped to treat those who came before her with integrity and fairness.
“I want them to know that I’ve heard and listened to them, and I will dispense justice according to the law,” Drungole-Ellis said. “I love the people of all of the counties, not just Oktibbeha County. I’m just looking forward to serving the people.”
She also thanked her family and those who worked with her during her campaign.
“We had a set of goals that we intended to accomplish, and we knew of a promise that would come to pass,” Drungole-Ellis said.
Entrepreneur Valerie Daniels-Carter also spoke at the event. Daniels-Carter is the owner of V&J Food Service in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Her firm is the largest female owned food service franchise in the nation.
“There are 20 chancery courts in Mississippi, but all will continue to be measured by the effectiveness of Chancery Court District 14 Place 3, because we have, and will continue to have the best of the best,” Daniels-Carter said.
Daniels-Carter said Drungole-Ellis was ready to face the challenges that lay before her.
“I for one, am certain that she will not take her responsibilities frivolously or nonchalantly,” Daniels-Carter said. “She’s a woman that understands responsibility.”
Chancery courts handle domestic and family matters, including adoptions, divorces, property divisions, child custody and support, estates and all issues involving minors, among other matters. Chancery Court District 14 includes Oktibbeha, Lowndes, Clay, Noxubee, Webster and Chickasaw counties.