Judge Don Davis retires after 24 years leading Mobile County Probate Court

Judge Don Davis, probate judge of Mobile County, formally marked his retirement on Jan. 16 after 24 years on the bench, surrounded by family, county officials, judges and community leaders who credited him with modernizing the court, expanding a volunteer guardian program and bolstering the county’s election operations.

The gathering in the Mobile County Probate Court chambers highlighted operational changes Davis led over his tenure, including a move toward digital records and e-filing, a court data-processing division, and increased public access to court information. Supporters also emphasized his role in establishing the county’s Volunteer Guardian Program and his attention to election administration.

Speakers said the court’s shift to digital services and reorganized dockets made daily business easier for attorneys and the public, and they pointed to the volunteer guardian program as a significant community benefit. Robbie McClure, vice president of the Infirmary Foundation, said the program helped discharge patients faster and produced measurable cost savings: “Using this figure as an estimate for the past 2 years, it’s estimated we saved in 2023 $3,870,000 and in 24 more, which was $4,140,000.” McClure also said that from 2011 through 2024 more than 273 wards at the Mobile Infirmary benefited from the program and that volunteer guardians had aided 89 patients in the past two years.

Wesley Pipes, presiding circuit judge of the 13th Judicial Circuit, praised the daily operations under Davis, saying, “This place is run like a top.” Joe McCurchin, who served as chief clerk earlier in Davis’s tenure, described Davis’s push for staff training, updated accounting and archiving of century-old records, and the court’s expanded use of mediation and courtroom technology. Greg Carwee, who has served as general conservator, noted changes to the court docket that reduced the need for attorneys to appear daily and the broader use of sworn pleadings and blocked accounts to streamline routine matters.

Officials also recognized Davis’s work on elections. Mayor Sandy Stimpson and Commission President Sarah Ludgood singled out the judge’s outreach around election procedures and his efforts to explain and demonstrate voting equipment and processes to the public. Ludgood told the audience Davis had improved public access and trust in election administration across Mobile County.

The event included presentations from community and state leaders. Joe Bonner, president of the University of South Alabama, and state legislators offered resolutions and commendations. Several speakers underscored Davis’s long-term public service and community involvement beyond the courtroom.

Davis used his remarks to reflect on his philosophy of public service and to thank court staff by name. He cited the principle of noblesse oblige and named court employees, temporary judges and county officials as central to the court’s work. On plans after retirement, Davis said he expected to spend more time with family and pursue cycling, triathlons and possibly beekeeping, and he said he looked forward to being “known as Mallory and Charlie’s grandfather” rather than as the judge.

After the program the court unveiled a portrait to be hung among past probate judges in the courtroom, and staff presented Davis a memento; the formal program concluded with a reception on the second floor.