We are sad to announce the passing of former employee and retiree Jacqueline R. Cavender, who left us on July 31, 2022 following several years of declining health.

Jaqueline Rainwater Cavender (1992-2001) served as the 14th Clerk of Butts County, working first as Assistant County Clerk over Finance from March 16, 1989 until her elevation to Clerk on January 8, 1992. She then worked in that position for the next 9 years, with an effective retirement date of January 1, 2001. Prior to her appointment as Clerk, she obtained her Certified Financial Officer designation from the University of Georgia, following the prescribed curriculum of study; she later obtained her Certified County Clerk designation, also from the University of Georgia. During her time as County Clerk, she was instrumental in compiling the annual budget for the Board of Commissioners and assisting the various County Managers that she worked with in budgetary matters.

Although she did not have a long career with the County, during most of her thirteen years here she held a senior management position second only to the County Manager, and reported directly to the Board of Commissioners, who reappointed her each year. Following her retirement, the Board of Commissioners honored her in February of 2001 for her years of faithful service to the County. During her tenure as Clerk, she was affectionately known as “Miss Jackie” and as “The Queen” by the Department Heads and Constitutional Officers, who depended on her knowledge and historical acumen as much as the Commissioners did. Following her retirement, she continued to work occasionally for the County in a part-time capacity whenever additional help was needed at the Commissioners Office. Mrs. Cavender was married for many years to the late Fred Cavender and is survived by her two daughters, Karen and Karla, plus several grandchildren.