Beaufort County Commissioner Ed Booth received a surprise, and one of the state’s top awards, at a retirement party held in his honor Saturday.

Booth retired from a 30-year career with the state, the last 28 of those with the North Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles, where he served as an Administrative Hearing Officer. Friends and family gathered to celebrate his retirement in an official way. Though his mother (Thelma Booth), sister (La Vonda Booth), four children (Reggie, Regina, Ronnie and Renita) and wife Eltha each took a turn at the microphone to express their appreciation for and to congratulate Booth, it was the presentation of the Order of the Long Leaf Pine by fellow Beaufort County Commissioner Jerry Langley that took Booth by surprise.

“I was knocked off the chain about that — it was a total surprise,” Booth said.

Langley joked during his presentation that part of the surprise was how Booth, a “yellow dog democrat,” managed to achieve the award signed by a Republican governor.

The Order of the Long Leaf Pine is among the most prestigious awards presented by the governor. The award is presented to people who have a proven record of extraordinary service to the state. Recipients of the order can be chosen for their contribution to their community, exemplary careers and/or many years of service to their organizations. The honor is most often presented upon retirement.

“It’s a great pleasure knowing he’s a recipient of the Order of the Long Leaf Pine,” said Sen. Don Davis (D – Greene), a long-time friend of the Ed and Eltha Booth. “There’s no greater person deserving of the honor … he’s been a friend not only to the county, but to all of eastern North Carolina,” Davis said. “I hope the residents recognize the caliber of leadership they have in Ed Booth.”

In addition to his service to the state, Booth has served several terms as a Beaufort County Commissioner.

As for retirement, Ed Booth said his work — since work officially ended — has centered on the county commission. But both Booths are enjoying his extra time.

“We’ll have a chance to do a lot of things that we haven’t had the time to do,” Eltha Booth said.