A longtime member of the Cumberland County School Board, Eurika Tyree has announced her intentions to seek election as the Cumberland County Clerk of Circuit Court. Tyree, a native and life-long resident of Cumberland, is the daughter of Sarah Trent and Garfield Barksdale Jr. and is married to Conrad Tyree. They have two daughters, Octavia and O’Layna Tyree.

“I’m running for Cumberland County Clerk of Circuit Court because I was asked by several citizens who felt I could make a difference. I believe I represent a combination of background, ability and desire,” said Tyree, who is the first African-American female elected to the Cumberland School Board in 2011. “In my time on the school board, I not only represented the residents of my district, but all people, and as clerk I look forward to the opportunity to further that service.”

Tyree stands on four pillars of integrity, leadership, commitment and experience. As a member of the school board, she prides herself on making decisions for the stakeholders as a whole —which is everyone in the county — regardless of whether they have a child in the school system or not.

“My qualifications for this office include, but are not limited to, experience in working for the Cumberland Sheriff’s Department as a dispatcher, and then working at Marian Gray Thomas Funeral Home,” said Tyree. “I gained experience and knowledge in the laws that govern statutory and estate laws. Those experiences, as well as my Criminal Justice degree, affords me a unique skillset for this position.”

Tyree is a 1991 graduate of Cumberland High School where she earned an advanced studies diploma. After graduation, Tyree acquired a certificate in cosmetology, an associate degree in business administration, a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice (cum laude), a master’s degree in educational leadership, and an applied sciences degree in funeral services. 

Tyree has worked in a wide capacity from corporate America to family-owned businesses. She has worked in public education for over 18 years where she has received many awards and recognitions. She served the youth of Cumberland as a cheerleading coach at the high school where she was named Division 8 Coach of the Year and program director for the Cumberland youth league.

Tyree currently teaches career and technical education courses and is a specialist for jobs for Virginia graduates classes at New HOPE Academy in the Hopewell City Public School Division where she serves as lead teacher and webmaster. In 2016-17, Tyree was named the school’s Teacher of the Year. Back in Cumberland, she is serving a second term on the school board where she is in her second year serving as the vice-chair.

Eurika has always been active in her church and community. She serves on the Hospitality, Planning, Calendar, Woman’s and Ministerial Ministries. She accepted her calling to preach the Gospel in November 2014 and recently became a licensed Associate Minister at Rocky Mount Baptist Church in Cumberland. She is also a member of the Cumberland Fair Association where she serves on the executive board.

Tyree wears many hats and has received many accolades, but what means the most to her is that she is a servant of God and is always willing to serve God’s people in whatever capacity. She stands firmly on the principles of “prayer changes things,” and “treating people the way you want to be treated.”

“I want the Clerk’s office to be as user-friendly as possible,” said Tyree. “Whether it’s face-to-face or through the many technologies and services available, I want the citizens of Cumberland to have a stress-free experience in their dealings with the Clerk’s office.”