Angie Brown will no longer pursue her candidacy for Adams County sheriff.

She has served as interim sheriff since her husband, former sheriff Ronny Brown, died in March, and announced her intent to run in late April.

She had filed her petition, with a minimum of 50 signatures of county voters, with the Adams County Circuit Clerk’s Office, but on Monday withdrew her papers and her name from the hat.

Brown said she also sent a letter to her staff at the sheriff’s office announcing her decision.

She attributes her decision to not just the loss of her husband but also the death of her sister shortly after.

“I’ve suffered two devastating losses, and it’s going to take me a while to recover,” Brown said. “I’m seeing things a little clearer now. I’m still under this big cloud of grief.

“I’m just not emotionally prepared to enter this campaign.”

Brown said she has been in a semi-state of shock since the deaths of her loved ones, and now she realizes the grieving process will detract from her ability to lead a campaign.

“My whole world turned upside down,” she said. “I’m beginning to climb out of this deep hole I was in.

“Any campaign you enter — it’s physical, emotional and mental. And I’m not to the point where I’d be effective in campaigning.”

She said her staff at the sheriff’s office is behind her in her decision.

“I asked for their understanding, and I asked them to pray for me,” Brown said. “I thank them for their confidence and encouragement and prayers. They’ve been very supportive.”

Brown will continue to serve as interim sheriff until after the November election. She said she does not know if she will return to her position as the Adams County Red Cross Chapter Manager at that point.

Circuit Clerk Eddie Walker said 11 other county residents have picked up the petition papers at his office.

The petition papers, which require any potential candidate to obtain the signatures of 50 registered Adams County voters, are the initial step in candidacy.

“Anybody, everybody can walk in here and ask for signature papers,” he said. “It doesn’t necessarily mean their running.”

The signatures have to be qualified by the Adams County Election Commission first, after the Sept. 3 deadline.

Those who have picked up the petition papers are:

Ray Brown, former Adams County sheriff’s deputy and current Adams County constable and employee of Natchez High School.

Chuck Mayfield, former Adams County deputy and current Adams County Youth Court Administrator.

Randy Freeman, current Adams County Sheriff’s deputy and constable.

Greg Wisner, current wildlife and fisheries game warden.

Danny Barber, current Natchez Police investigator.

Sgt. Craig Godbold, current head of Natchez Police Department Criminal Investigations Department.

Cliff Cox, who recently resigned from his position as commander of the Metro Narcotics Unit.

Eddie Jones, former Natchez Police Chief.

Roosevelt Owens, former Natchez police officer.

James Lee, current Adams County Coroner.

Clayton Gay, local businessman.

The special election for sheriff will be Nov. 3, and is a nonpartisan election, Walker said.

If no one candidate garners more than 50 percent of the votes, a run-off election will take place Nov. 24.

The specially-elected sheriff will serve the remaining two years of this term, after which a general election will take place.