“For the past 21 years I have served as the Halifax County Register of Deeds,” Evans-Barbee said in a statement, beginning her career in 1976 as a deputy register of deeds and promoted to assistant register of deeds in 1981. “I was appointed in 1994 to fill the Register of Deeds position and have been elected to five successive terms. I have decided that I will not seek re-election in the 2016 election and will retire at the end of my term in 2016.”
She said in the statement the decision was made with serious consideration, “as I truly love my job and the service I provide to the citizens of Halifax County. It is an honor to serve as register of deeds for Halifax County.
“Through the years I have set goals for the office and am proud to say that at the end of my term those goals have been met.”
Those goals have included updating technology and equipment as funds were available. “All real estate indexes and images are available online since 1934 and plats are available since 1818. A Historical Redaction Project was done to redact personal account information shown on recorded documents available online.”
Electronic recording of real estate documents has been implemented since 2014. “Participation in the State Vital Records Electronic Birth Registration System enables us to issue certified copies of birth records since 1971 from any county in North Carolina. Online services also offer the use of a debit or credit card to order a certified copy of vital records. Preservation work has been done on many of the oldest deed books dating back to 1732.
“I have made sound decisions that have enabled this register of deeds to offer services that are not found in all counties of North Carolina. I feel confident that I will leave the office in exceptional condition to my successor.”
Evans-Barbee said she will fully support Avens, currently deputy register of deeds who filed today. “I believe that under her leadership the integrity of the register of deeds office will not be compromised. The public records recorded and maintained will remain in high standard and great quality service would continue. I sincerely hope the citizens of Halifax County will make a good decision in the primary election.”
In her own statement, Avens described Evans-Barbee as “a great friend and mentor.” Avens, who resides in Roanoke Rapids, is a native of Weldon and graduated from Weldon High School in 1993.
After high school, she attended Shaw University and Ashford University where she graduated with a 3.7 GPA earning a bachelor’s degree in health and human services in 2012.
She is continuing to further her education and will be completing a master’s degree from Ashford University this month. She initially began working for Halifax County in 2003 as a 911 dispatcher.
In September of 2004, Avens began her career in the Halifax County Register of Deeds Office as a Deputy I register of deeds.
In 2014, Avens was promoted to Deputy II register of deeds.
“With over 11 years of experience working in the Register of Deeds Office, I am committed to serving the citizens of Halifax County,” Avens said. “As an informed voter of Halifax, my knowledge and experience is an asset for the voters to consider. I love my job and am committed to the position as a public servant to Halifax County.”
In her statement, Avens said she takes the opportunity to be elected and the responsibilities of the position very seriously.
She holds a certification for the position of register of deeds through the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Government. Avens is married to James E. Avens Jr., who is currently the assistant chief of police in Weldon.
They have three children — Langston (19), Amber (16) and James III (11).
Her parents are Louise G. Williams of Weldon and the late Langie Crossen of Garysburg. She has three sisters and six brothers. “I have a strong commitment to my community and I am involved in various organizations.”
She sits on the Weldon Library Board and is the current vice president for the Women's Democratic Party.
She is a volunteer for Esquires for Education, a member of Roanoke Valley Early College PTA and has served on the Superintendent Advisory Board for Weldon City Schools. She is a member of Faithful Band Missionary Baptist of Pleasant Hill where she is serving as a deaconess elect. Avens has a website for her campaign, which can found by following this link.
