NATCHEZ — Angie Brown is passing the baton as the Adams County Red Cross chapter manager.

Brown is serving as sheriff until a November special election after her husband, former Sheriff Ronny Brown, died.

Taking her place as chapter manager is Pam Frank.

Frank has been a Red Cross board member since November, and was elected by the board to serve as interim chapter manager.

Frank started the position April 1, and she said she’s jumping in feet first.

“My husband asked me how I plan to do it all, and I said, ‘I don’t know, with the Lord’s help,’” Frank said.

She said she has had several certifications with the Red Cross since becoming an active member in November, and she has experience Gustav and the Dec. 9 tornado that left Adams County in a wake of debris.

But there’s still a lot to learn, she said.

For example, she went on a fire call for the first time last week.

The fire was in Jefferson County, and had destroyed a family’s trailer house.

Frank had to drive the Red Cross’ Emergency Response Vehicle — something she had also never done before.

Brown is working to train Frank on such calls.

“Thank God she was there,” Frank said. “She dropped what she was doing and drove me out there.”

Admittedly, Frank said she’s going to have to lean on Brown during these first few months of learning the ropes.

Brown said she doesn’t mind helping Frank.

“I’m available anytime she had a question or a concern,” Brown said.

In fact, Brown said she wants to still be an active part of the Red Cross.

“It’s a very important organization to me. I love the Red Cross, and I love the work,” she said. “It’s a very rewarding job.”

Frank shares the same feelings on Red Cross as Brown.

She said she loves the organization because she loves helping those in need.

As far as the future of the Red Cross chapter manager position, Brown said it’s up in the air.

Brown is currently considering running for sheriff in November, and in that case, would not return as chapter manager.

She said if she does not run for sheriff, she would like to return. Brown said she just doesn’t know if the Red Cross regional director or national headquarters will wait until November.

“I don’t know how soon they’re going to want a permanent director,” she said.

In the meantime, she’s prepping Frank to take the position — even though the future isn’t clear.

“If I cannot come back, or if I choose to campaign for sheriff, I would love to see her stay permanently if that’s what she wants to do.

“She’s got Red Cross at heart. She’s going to do a fabulous job at the chapter.”