Governor appoints Christy Thompson OC Treasurer

Gov. Mike Parson’s office notified Christy Thompson Monday that he was appointing her to fill the unexpired term of former  Ozark County Treasurer Phyllis Turner, who died of cancer on Oct. 10. Interim Treasurer Rickie Johnston was appointed by the Ozark County Commission to serve in that position until the appoint-ment was made.

Thompson, 50, an Ozark County native, is the oldest of the three daughters of Judy Hambelton and the late Gary Hambelton. A 1987 graduate of Gainesville High School, she has been married to her high school sweetheart, Shawn Thompson, for 30 years. They have one son, Austin.  

Thompson said she was contacted Monday afternoon by the governor’s office. She was to be sworn in Tuesday afternoon by Ozark County Clerk Brian Wise.

Thompson has worked as a deputy to Ozark County Circuit Clerk and Recorder Becki Strong for the past 12 years, and during that time occasionally helped Turner when needed. 

“I am very, very grateful and blessed to have been chosen and very excited to be appointed,” she said.