In just a few weeks the year 2022 will come to an end. At the same time the over 44 year career of Stoddard County Recorder Kay Asbell will also come to an end as she enters retirement. Asbell has spent 28 of those 44 years as the Stoddard County Recorder the other 16 as Deputy Clerk.
Asbell worked for then recorder Freida Lee.
Asbell was first hired in 1978 as the deputy clerk.
“I needed a job, I was 18 years old, I had been a year out of school,” said Asbell. “I actually ran into Frieda’s niece and she said hey my aunt is looking for somebody.”
Asbell applied and was hired.
“It started part time,” said Asbell. “Freida hired me and there you go, so I have been here ever since.”
“It’s been a wonderful job, it really really has” Asbell continued. “(You) see all kinds of people and just all kinds of different situations that you run into.”
Asbell first ran for the office of recorder upon Lee’s retirement in 1994.
“She (Freida Lee) approached me about running for office and I had never given it a lot of thought,” said Asbell. “I talked to my husband and so we did. We made all of the signs that first year through the whole winter. And I ran the next year.”
That was the only election in which Abell had an opponent. All subsequent elections she has ran unopposed.
Asbell has seen many changes over the years. She said when she first started everything was done on microfilm. Asbell said it is basically a large camera that was kept at the old courthouse. Everything was hand indexed in books. This became an issue as Asbell said they started running out of space to store the books.
Asbell said they were forced to go to computers when space ran out for the books. Upon moving to the new government building in 2009 the recorder’s office went to E Recording. Asbell said this is very handy for both her office and the customers.
The E Recording allows a document to be sent from anywhere electronically and recorded the same day. The customer or the recorder’s office can get the document back the same day as well.
The office also has twice the space it had prior to the move in 2009, this allows the recorder’s office to scan its own plats and surveys.
Asbell said a large machine is required to do this and the office did not have this machine prior to the move. Prior to having the machine the surveys and plats hand to be sent off to be scanned and recorded on a disk.
Asbell said the reorder’s office now gets 2/3 of everything via E Recording. This means very little mail is received. Customers either walk in or send their information electronically.
“It makes it better for your customers,” said Asbell. “Especially your banking entities because they can record their deed of trust immediately and it never leaves their desk.”
Asbell said she will miss the people the most.
“The people, seeing the people,” said Asbell. “I will miss seeing my girls as well as the public that comes in and out everyday. Yeah, I will miss the people.”
As far as retirement plans, Asbell said she and her husband of 41 years Rodney farm on the side. They also enjoy hunting, fishing and camping. Her retirement will likely consist largely of these activities.
Asbell assured the citizens that her successor Candy Collier will be up to the job. Collier has worked in the recorder’s office for 30 years.
“She will do just fine , she will have a little bit of a transition,” said Asbell. “I remember that transition and it is to be expected. She knows the job in and out. She will do well and serve the public as well as I have.”
“I want to thank the people of this county for allowing these years of serving you,” said Asbell. “It has been such an enjoyment. I have met lots of people and made lots of friends, I have always tried to help each one that comes in, for which capacity that was needed.”