STANLY COUNTY, N.C. — A town commissioner in North Carolina was re-elected, but he died about two months ago.

Richfield Town Commissioner Terry Almond served on the town council for 30 years. His wife said he was also a mail carrier, and many people saw him as a familiar face.

“He was just an all-around good person and loved people,” Terry’s wife June Almond said. “Terry was always fair, he knew everybody.”

In early September, his time as a public servant came to an end. He was sent to the hospital due to an allergic reaction to a bee sting and later died.

The death came at an odd time.

Kimberly Blackwelder is the director of elections with the Stanly County Board of Elections. She said Almond died on September 8, which was after the start of the absentee by-mail balloting period on September 4.

“Therefore his name could not be removed from the ballot,” Blackwelder said. “If Mr. Almond is still one of the highest vote-getters after the canvass has been completed on 11/13/20, the board of elections will declare the seat vacant pursuant to G.S. 163-294.1(b) and the seat will be filled as provided by law.”

According to the North Carolina State Board of Elections, five people were on the ballot for the town council and three were chosen. Almond came in second with about 21% of the vote.

“I think it was an honor, they did that to honor him,” Mrs. Almond said.

Timothy Belcher is a Stanly County Sheriff Deputy who covers the Richfield division. He said he knew Almond since he was a kid, and was pleasantly surprised Almond won re-election after his death.

“It just tells me how much he was thought of in this little town,” Belcher said. “He held this town sacred to his heart, and he had a lot of respect from people in this town.”

After the election results are officially certified on November 13, it will be up to the Richfield town commissioners to appoint a person to fill the vacancy. There are two candidates who were on the ballot who could possibly take his place.