January 1, 1983–a KAUFMAN COUNTY HISTORY MILESTONE–1st woman to ever hold the position of COUNTY JUDGE in the county’s 134 years history!
MAXINE DARST, native of Van Zandt County’s Edgewood, became sworn in as Kaufman County’s 1st Lady Judge. She was the daughter of Thomas J. and Oma Lee Valentine.
Earlier, Maxine married Terrell, Texas, native Fred Darst after attending North Texas State University (now UNT), and they had two daughters, Mary Margaret and Martha. Later, Jason Evans called them Grandmother and Grandfather!
Let’s go back to early marriage times, which found Mrs. Darst taking night classes at Henderson County Junior College. That became taking classes at East Texas State University in Commerce, Texas, and eventually earning a Bachelor of Science Degree with a double major in Psychology & Speech and Hearing Pathology.
For a dozen years Maxine was a substitute teacher for the Terrell Independent School District, and then in May of 1976 she was among the final applicants licensed to practice law by the Texas Supreme Court. After that time, the Darst Duo continued to practice law in Terrell.
Maxine Darst was also a Terrell Municipal Judge and was the “Past President” of the Kaufman County Bar Association, in addition to being a Member of the American Bar, Texas Bar, and North Texas Bar Associations.
In her spare time, this busy lady was also a valuable member of the Kaufman County Historical Commission.
(The above information was compiled prior to 1984.)
- Log in or Subscribe to post comments.