Emotions swelled through Jimmy Nunn as he was being sworn in as Dallas County Probate Judge on Saturday at Wallace Community College-Selma.

Tears fell down the face of Nunn as he was sworn in by Circuit Court Judges Marvin Wiggins, Colins Pettaway and Don McMillian. Standing alongside Nunn during the ceremony was his wife Phenicia. Former probate judge Johnny Jones passed the gavel to Nunn. His mother, Bettye Nunn and mother in law, Vivian Holmes, put the robe on Nunn.

Nunn becomes the first black Dallas County Probate Judge, succeeding Kim Ballard. His first day on the job is Monday and it will culminate with his first Dallas County Commission as probate judge/chairman that afternoon at 4 p.m.

“Without God in my life, I wouldn’t be here,” Nunn said. “I’m ecstatic and delighted to represent Dallas County as the next probate judge. I couldn’t have done it without my family and the voters in Dallas County.”

Nunn continues to move up the political ladder. A former Selma City Attorney and Assistant Dallas County District Attorney, Nunn said he’s excited about the next challenge of his professional career.

“I’m looking forward to the next stage,” Nunn said. “I’m looking forward to take Dallas County to the next level and uniting the different municipalities: the cities of Valley Grande, Orrville and Selma.”

Selma Mayor Darrio Melton, who delivered the welcome address, said he’s eager to working with Nunn.

“I’m excited we’ll have a probate judge with plans to moving Dallas County forward and moving the city of Selma forward,” Melton said.

Words of encouragement in the program came from Alabama District 23 Senator Malika Sanders-Fortier, Alabama House District 67 Rep. Prince Chestnut, Southern District U.S. Attorney Richard Moore and Ollie Davison, Deputy District Director for U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell.

Davison, a former city Chief of Staff under Melton, recalled great memories when Nunn was the city attorney.

“We had a lot of fun over the campaign and talking about what’s wrong with government,” Davison said.

Among the high-profile local officials in attendance were Commissioners Valerie Reuben, Roy Nickles and Curtis Williams, former Selma mayor James Perkins, Dallas County District Attorney Michael Jackson, Sen. Hank Sanders, Selma Police Department Johnny King, Dallas County Sheriff Mike Granthum, city clerk Ivy Harrison, city councilman John Leashore, city councilwomen Susan Youngblood, Miah Jackson, Jannie Thomas and Angela Benjamin.

Phenicia Nunn gave the remarks, thanking everyone for the support. Their daughter, Jimaya Nunn performed a unity song.

Shiloh Baptist Church provided a delectable spread for the event, led by Lorraine Capers.