Candidates for County Coroner

For Polk County coroner, incumbent Norman Smith will face off with challenger Nathan Womack, funeral director at Lester C. Litesey Funeral Home in Cedartown. Smith is the owner of Smith and Miller Funeral

Home in Cedartown.

NOTE: The candidates’ answers were taken from the April 23 and April 24 Candidate Forums presented by the Polk County Chamber of Commerce. Answers have been edited for content and length.

Q: What motivated you to run for county coroner?

Smith: When the previous coroner decided to run for probate judge, this office was being vacated. After much prayerful consideration with my years of service to the community, my love for Polk County and its residents, I stepped forward and submitted my name as candidate for Polk County Coroner.

Much to my surprise, I’ve received a tremendous amount of encouragement and support throughout the community. It’s been my goal that the citizens of Polk County would be met with professionalism, integrity, and compassion should they ever experience a sudden unexpected loss of a loved one.

Womack: All my life I have been encouraged to serve others above myself and do something that puts others before myself. I made a conscious decision to work with the dead and be there to care for the families of the dead. I’ve done so coming up on 10 years now.

I did previously work as a deputy coroner for a short time so I went through the exact same coroner training that every corner in the state of Georgia goes through to get my certification as a deputy coroner. I have a degree in political science and public administration, and I also have a degree in funeral service. I have a strong deep love for Polk County and I have a strong deep love for Polk County families.