Ohio County Magistrate Patty Murphy, center, has announced her retirement effective at the end of January. Here, she stands with the county’s other magistrates, as well as First Circuit Court Judge David Sims. Pictured, from left, are Magistrate Janine Varner, Magistrate Kevin Stryker, Murphy, Sims and Magistrate Tom Howard. (File Photo)

WHEELING — After 45 years of working in the Ohio County court system — including the past 21 as magistrate — Patty Murphy is calling it a career.

Murphy is officially retiring as magistrate effective Jan. 31. Worthy Paul Jr., senior status magistrate, has already taken over her duties until an interim magistrate is appointed.

“It has been a long time,” Murphy said. “I’ve cultivated lifelong friendships. I’ve enjoyed working with the prosecutor’s office, the circuit court and all the attorneys and people of Ohio County. It has been an experience, and a pleasure working with the people there.

“I didn’t want to leave so abruptly. When I was elected, I was hoping to complete the term. But due to health concerns and other circumstances, it is time to leave.”

Murphy wants to focus on family and her health now, and has plans to visit nephews in South Carolina and work out at the Howard Long Wellness Center.

The responsibility of choosing her successor now falls to Chief Ohio County Circuit Judge Joe Barki. Murphy was last elected in 2024, and there are fewer than two years left in the term. The person selected as magistrate will serve out the remaining time through the 2028 elections.

Barki said he is required by statute to choose someone to fill Murphy’s vacated seat within 30 days of her retirement on Jan. 31.

“Because she has already announced her retirement we can take some steps toward getting ready to do that appointment, such as receiving resumes and letters of interest from people interested in receiving the appointment,” he said.

Barki expects prospective candidates to begin sending their information in the coming week. He has set the deadline to apply for Feb. 5.

He explained he initially thought the unexpired term would be placed on the May 12 primary election ballot.

“There are conflicting statutes as to whether it needs to be added to the ballot or not,” Barki said. “But we had a conference with the Secretary of State’s Office, and they advised that, because of the limited time left on her office, it would not need to be added to the May 12 ballot.

“So, whoever receives the appointment will serve the remainder of her term, but will have to run for re-election in May 2028.”

Those interested should send their resumes to Barki’s office at the Hancock County Courthouse, P.O. Box 428, 102 Court St., New Cumberland, WV 26047; or phone administrative assistant Stephanie Baumgardner at 304-564-3311, ext. 237, for email address or additional information.

“Congratulations to Patty,” Barki continued. “She has been a public servant for 40-plus years for Ohio County, and we’re sorry to see her go. She has done a great job as magistrate, but we wish her the best as she moves into retirement.”

Murphy’s first job in Ohio County started in August 1980 when she went to work in the office of former Ohio County Clerk Lin Humphries.

A year later, Humphries informed her that then Magistrate Jack Rothbart needed an assistant in his office and she encouraged her to apply.

“She trained me,” Murphy said of Humphries. “I always felt I was good at my job because she trained me, and she was good at her job. I had her to go to when she was clerk.”

Murphy got the job with Rothbart, then went on to work for magistrates George Fahey and Steve Hanna over the next two decades.

In 2004, Hanna was set to retire and Murphy successfully ran for his job.

She comes from a family in which public service was a strong trait.

Her father Robert was a retired cop who worked 26 years with the Wheeling Police Department. Her brothers Bob and Larry also are retired from the Wheeling Fire Department, while her sister Suzan worked at the Ye Olde Alpha.

Murphy, however, said it was her mother Toni who encouraged her to run for magistrate and “was the force who started the whole thing.”

Murphy was elected on Nov. 4, 2024, while Toni died just days later on Nov. 28.

Murphy today resides with her sister Suzan.

“All my family has been saying ‘Patty, just leave (the magistrate’s office),'” she said. “They are all retired. But I was like, I’m not ready to go yet.”

Murphy noted there was someone else who greatly encouraged her during her early days as magistrate.

“(The late attorney) Rob McCoid told me, ‘Patty, you can do so well at this job. You have the experience. You have the intellect,'” she said. “That gave me the confidence to keep going.”

As for outside interests, Murphy has a penchant for collecting gnomes.

“I used to love to read,” she said. “Now I can’t with my eye problems.”

Murphy still likes to do jigsaw puzzles, many of which were given to her by former courthouse secretary Janet Cunningham.

Murphy and Cunningham are among a group of past female courthouse workers – “The Courthouse Cuties” – who meet each month at local restaurants to stay in touch. Murphy said there can be as many as 30 women attending these events.

Her advice to her successor is that “you’re never going to please everyone.”

“When you’re judging a case, you also know someone is not going to be happy with you depending on how it works out,” she said. “I may not have always made the best decision, but I always tried my best. I also learned from experience, or at least I think I did.

“Follow the rules. Read the code, and try to remain calm because it can be trying at times. Be dedicated, and strive to find a work-life balance,” Murphy added.