Chancery Judge Middleton dies at 59

By Adam Koob (Contact) | The Natchez Democrat

Published Saturday, September 19, 2009

NATCHEZ — Members of the Natchez legal community were remembering one of their own Friday.

Late Thursday, 17TH District Senior Chancery Court Judge Kennie Middleton, 59, died at Natchez Regional Medical Center after a heart attack.

Colleague and friend 17TH District Chancery Court Judge George Ward said Middleton left the Adams County Courthouse Wednesday afternoon because he was not feeling well.

While Middleton attempted to drive back to his home in Fayette, it’s believed he became too ill to drive and pulled over near a shopping center on Morgantown Road.

When a friend spotted his vehicle then called an ambulance, Ward said.

Ward said he did not know whether or not Middleton had a heart attack on the road or in the hospital.

Sixth District Court Judge Lillie Blackmon Sanders said Middleton leaves a legacy for other judges to emulate.

“He was a competent and caring member of the judiciary,” Sanders said. “And he was an extremely compassionate person who cared about his job and the people he worked with.”

Sanders said she particularly admired Middleton’s ability to put his personal feelings aside and make fair unbiased rulings on difficult cases.

“That’s not always and easy thing to do,” she said. “And he was able to do it well.”

Justice Court Judge Charlie Vess first met Middleton when Middleton was running for mayor in Fayette.

“He was always friendly and he always treated people with dignity,” Vess said. “He was a good man.”

While Middleton’s courtroom manner was widely admired, some will also remember him for his ways outside of court.

“He could always make us laugh,” Ward said. “He had a way of pointing out the absurdities of everyday mundane life and making it funny. There just isn’t anyone else like him.”

Before beginning 14 years of service as a chancery court judge, Middleton was a two-term mayor in Fayette.

Middleton leaves behind a wife and two sons.

Middleton’s memorial service will be at 3 p.m. Sunday at the Fourth Street Church of Christ in Natchez.