Sheldon named chancery judge in 5 south Mississippi counties

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) - Gov. Phil Bryant has appointed a new chancery judge in five south Mississippi counties.

Rhea Sheldon of Purvis will begin Feb. 22 as one of four chancellors in Forrest, Lamar, Marion, Pearl River and Perry counties.

She has been in private law practice since 2003.

Bryant announced Sheldon's appointment Thursday. She succeeds Dawn Beam of Sumrall, who moved up to the state Supreme Court when the governor appointed her to fill a vacancy there.

Sheldon earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Southern Mississippi and a law degree from the University of Mississippi.