Shirley Blackburn Randleman

Year Inducted: 2026

Mrs. Shirley Blackburn Randleman was born in North Wilkesboro to Lawson and Faye Jordan Blackburn and attended Wilkes County public schools. She furthered her education at Wilkes Community College, NC School of Government; the University of West Virginia, Morgantown, WV; the States and Nation Policy Summit; and the James B. Hunt Education Institute.

She began her professional career upon returning to Wilkes County after living in Germany and was hired as a Deputy Clerk of Superior Court for Wilkes County (1971). She held this position until December 1994, when she was elected as the Clerk of Superior Court. As Clerk, she served during the design and construction of the new Wilkes County Courthouse and oversaw the transfer and movement of almost 100 years of Wilkes County court and land records.

During her professional career, she became involved with mental health and substance use access to care and served on the Wilkes Prison Ministry Board of Directors and Resource Council. Her passion for those struggling with personal life issues extended to the Wilkes County Domestic Violence Task Force, workforce development, and the Hunger Coalition of Wilkes. Mrs. Randleman volunteered with the Second Harvest Food Bank and the AARP Tax-Aide Program. She currently serves on the VAYA Health Board of Directors and Regional Advisory Board, Wilkes County Community Opioid Prevention and Education (COPE), Juvenile Crime Prevention Council (JCPC), Wilkes County Planning Board and Board of Adjustment, Child Fatality Task Force, and Board of Health.

Mrs. Randleman retired as the Wilkes County Clerk of Court in 2005; however, she believed her contributions were not yet complete. She filed for and was elected to the North Carolina House of Representatives (District 94) and served until 2013, at which time she was elected to the North Carolina Senate (District 30). Throughout her service in both legislative chambers, she chaired the Justice and Public Safety Appropriations and Oversight Committees, as well as the Judiciary Committee. She also served on the Appropriations Base Budget, Rules and Operations of the Senate, Select Committee on Judicial Reform and Redistricting, Transportation, and several non-standing committees.

Mrs. Randleman retired from the Senate in 2019 and then served as Vice-Chair of the North Carolina State Ethics Commission until 2022. While serving in the Senate, Mrs. Randleman secured funding for a new NC National Guard Facility for Wilkes County and Northwest North Carolina. Also, she secured a $30 million 30-year loan at 0% interest for Wilkes County. Various other projects and roads also received funding.

Mrs. Randleman was elected to the Wilkes County Board of Commissioners in 2024 and served as the first woman chair in our county's history.

Mrs. Randleman has been recognized as the Volunteer of the Year for the NC Department of Corrections, North Wilkesboro; Legislator of the Year, NC Sheriff's Association; Duke Energy Citizenship and Service Award; NC State Bureau of Investigation; presented the Key to the City of Wilkesboro; NC Human Trafficking Commission; and VAYA Health-Shirley B. Randleman Facility-Based Crisis Center.

Shirley loves Wilkes County and cares about our county and the people who call Wilkes County home. She recognizes the fact that she was born with a servant's heart and will continue to do whatever she can to love and help other people. She often says that caring for those you serve is key to being an effective public servant.

Mrs. Randleman feels very undeserving of this recognition and wishes to express her sincere appreciation.