Former Alabama secretary of state Nancy Worley dies

Former Alabama secretary of state Nancy Worley, an advocate for education and a leader in the state Democratic party, died Wednesday. She was 70.

Rep. Chris England, chair of the Alabama Democrat Party, confirmed her death, calling Worley “…a true public servant and a great Democrat with a heart for the people.”

Worley served as secretary of state from 2003 to 2007. She served as president of the Alabama Education Association for two stints and was chair of the Alabama Democrat Party from 2013 to 2019.

“We are saddened to learn of Ms. Worley’s passing,” England wrote in a statement. “In addition to being a lifetime advocate for public education, educators and a former president of the Alabama Education system…Ms. Worley was a great and loyal Alabama Democrat who cared deeply about the Alabama Democrat Party and the people of this state.”

Before being elected secretary of state, she was a teacher in Decatur for 26 years.

Current Secretary of State John Merrill, a Republican, noted Worley’s passing Wednesday on Twitter.

“It was recently reported that former Sec. of State Nancy Worley was in poor health & I found out this afternoon that she has passed away,” he wrote. “Even though we often disagreed on political issues I never doubted where her heart was or about her desire to serve the people of our state.”

Contact Montgomery Advertiser reporter Marty Roney at mroney@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: Former Alabama secretary of state Nancy Worley dies