Posted October 8, 2024
During the October 7, 2024 meeting of the Granville County Board of Commissioners, Commissioner Tony Cozart received the Order of the Long Leaf Pine, North Carolina’s highest civilian honor.
Chair Timothy Karan and NC Representative Frank Sossamon (Granville/Vance) presented the Order of the Long Leaf Pine Award on behalf of Governor Roy Cooper and the State of North Carolina to Commissioner Cozart.
Cozart was first elected to the Granville County Board of Commissioners in 1989 and has now served nine consecutive terms representing District 4, with his most recent term beginning in December 2020. Cozart received this distinction not just from his service to the Granville County Board of Commissioners, but also his years of service as an educator, a principal, Executive Director of Franklin Granville Vance Smart Start, Pastor of Cooks Chapel Missionary Baptist Church, Franklin Vance Warren Opportunity Board of Directors, Masonic Home for Children Board of Directors, Commissioner of Central Children’s Home Church Basketball League, and Moderator of the United Shiloh Missionary Baptist Association.
“Being a County Commissioner is one thing that has never grown old for me,” said Cozart. “Growing up, I learned hard work in the tobacco fields and working as a bag boy at 7-11. To my fellow members of the Board of Commissioners, you are like family to me, and I am grateful to all of you. I had wonderful parents; and God gave me a wonderful wife, wonderful children, and grandchildren that have stolen my heart. I love this county and have enjoyed all these years of service.”
