Joni B. Parker
Chief Judge

Judge Parker graduated from Lowndes High School in 1984 as an honor graduate. She attended Valdosta State College, now Valdosta State University, graduating magna cum laude in June, 1988, with a B.B.A. in finance. Judge Parker graduated from Florida State University School of Law with honors May, 1993. Judge Parker was a law clerk for the law firm of Callahan, Dobbins, and Derr while in law school.

After law school, Judge Parker worked as a staff attorney for Georgia Legal Services. She later opened a solo practice for several years. Judge Parker then began to work as an associate for the law firm of Clyatt, Clyatt, Wallace, and DeVaughn, P.C. She was appointed as Magistrate Judge in June, 1998. Judge Parker was appointed as Chief Judge in January, 2003.

Judge Parker is an active member of the Council of Magistrate Court Judges. She serves on the Magistrate Court Training Council and the Training Committee. Judge Parker is a member of the State Bar of Georgia and the Valdosta Bar Association.

Judge Parker is married to David Parker who is a partner is the law firm of Smith, Hannan, and Parker. They have two children and are active members of Crossroads Baptist Church.


Elizabeth C. Cleveland
Judge

Judge Cleveland was born and reared in Perry, Florida and graduated magna cum laude from Stetson University in 1986 with a B.B.A. in finance. She attended Florida State University College of Law and graduated with honors in 1989. While in law school, she interned with Florida Supreme Court Justice Stephen H. Grimes. She also attended summer session at St. Edmonds College, Oxford University, Oxford, England. After graduating, Judge Cleveland practiced law in Florida, specializing in medical and attorney malpractice defense before moving to Valdosta, Georgia in 1996. Judge Cleveland practiced law in Valdosta with the firm of Young, Thagard, Hoffman, Scott, and Smith until the birth of her first child in 1999.

Judge Cleveland is a member of the Council of Magistrate Court Judges. She is also a member of both the Georgia and Florida bars and the Valdosta Bar Association.

She is married to Jim Cleveland and they have two children, age 4 and 2. The Clevelands are active in their church, Park Avenue United Methodist Church.


Jo Anne D. Jones
Clerk of Court

Mrs. Jones graduated from Lowndes High School in 1977. She began working with the Justice of the Peace on February 5, 1980 and continued to work with the Magistrate Court after it was created in 1983. Mrs. Jones was appointed as the Clerk of Court in 1987.

Mrs. Jones is an active member of the Magistrate Court Clerks and Secretaries Association. She was recently elected President of the Association for a two year term. Mrs. Jones is also a member of the Child Fatality Review Committee.

Mrs. Jones is married to Randy Jones and they have one son who currently attends the University of Georgia. She is very active with Georgia 4-H and with the local FFA chapter. Mrs. Jones is a volunteer leader with the 4-H program, where she is a District Volunteer Leader for the Southwest District.