The words public servant and Suzette Pellicer are synonymous in Flagler County, and officials far and wide are mourning the loss of a woman who gave 57 years of her life working for the benefit of her fellow residents.
“It is with deep sadness that we share this news of the passing of Suzette Pellicer,” said County Administrator Heidi Petito. “She lived her life well and continued to give to the citizens of Flagler County nearly up until the time of her death. Our heartfelt sympathies are with her family, who are grieving their loss.”
Pellicer was the daughter of the late Herschel C. King, Sr., who served on the School Board for 33 years, and Peggy Jones, now a Connecticut resident. She was the mother of retired Flagler County Fire Rescue Battalion Chief James “Jamey” Burnsed Jr., Cristal “Cristy” Burnsed Carson, who works for the Property Appraiser’s Office, Chuck Pellicer (Trenton), and the late Claude John Pellicer, III. She was the sister of Vickie King Fontneau (Connecticut), and Herschel “Hutch” C. King, Jr. (Bunnell), who served as a Flagler County Commissioner for eight years.
Former Flagler County Tax Collector Dale Brown hired Pellicer in November 1965. She was elected to the position herself in 1980 and took office in 1981. She held the position through 2004 when she decided against running for reelection. Current Tax Collector Suzanne Johnston ran a successful campaign and convinced Pellicer to stay on as a part-time employee, which she did until her retirement in September of this year.
“Suzette was a lifelong friend, and her knowledge of the office served me and the residents of our county well,” Johnston said. “Suzette was always sharp as a tack right up until her retirement. She will definitely be missed in the Flagler County Tax Collectors Office.”
Rick G says
My condolences to Ms Pellicer’s family and friends. I had the honor of knowing Suzette since I was the Tax Collector in Miami-Dade County from1994-2000. I also had the honor of working with her as the Executive Director in the Florida Tax Collectors Inc in which she was an excellent board member. She was an ardent fighter for legislation and policies that would benefit the taxpayers and vehicle registrants in Flagler County. As the article stated she was a true public servant.
Timothy Patrick Welch says
Thanks…
Suzette King Pellicer will be fondly remembered says
Suzette Pellicer was the best public official and the best boss one could ever have. She will be terribly missed. Sue was the best of the best! RIP Sue.
Question: Johnston went by the name Ann in her 30+ years in the Property Appraisers Office until she ran for Tax Collector when Pellicer retired from the elected position in 2004 when she ran for Tax Collector and then she ran by the name “Suzanne”. Did Johnston run for public office as Suzanne because it was so similar to Suzette to make voters think they were one and the same?
Why would tax payers pay Suzanne and Suzette to do the same job from 2004 until Sept of 2022?
Resident says
She was a wonderful person. RIP Sue.