North Carolina's Supreme Court is getting its first black woman: Pat Timmons-Goodson of Fayetteville, a veteran jurist who retired last fall from the lower state Court of Appeals.

Gov. Mike Easley, a Democrat, said Thursday that he is appointing the former judge to the Supreme Court's associate justice slot that Sarah Parker will vacate when she becomes chief justice Feb. 6.

The selection of Timmons-Goodson -- who will have to win a statewide election this fall to keep the seat -- means the state's highest court will have two female justices for the first time.

Both appointments come during a new era of officially nonpartisan judicial elections. But the governor's decisions give Democrats a mild comeback at the Supreme Court, where they had fared poorly in recent elections. With Timmons-Goodson and Parker, Democrats will hold two of seven seats, up from one.

Timmons-Goodson, 51, said she had no intention to return to the judiciary until she got word recently that Easley might consider her for the Supreme Court.

"I thought I had hung up my robe for the last time," she said Thursday. "The more I thought about it, the more I thought I'm not quite through serving my state yet. Few of our citizens, and no African-American women, have had an opportunity to serve in that way. I am really excited and looking forward to this."

Appeals Court Judge James Wynn, a black Democrat who served on the Supreme Court for three months in 1998, had sought the job. But he said Timmons-Goodson, a friend, is an excellent choice.

"The appointment of Judge Timmons-Goodson brings not only diversity to the court but also a wealth of experience and legal scholarship," Wynn said. "She will go to the Supreme Court and hit the ground running. She's the kind of justice that North Carolina needs on the court."

Raleigh lawyer Sid Eagles, a former chief judge of the appeals court, praised the pick.

"Pat's a worker," he said. "She's a great judge. She has judicial experience, the ability to listen and bring people together, and uncommon good sense."

Timmons-Goodson was a District Court judge in Cumberland County for 13 years before joining the appeals court.

The Supreme Court hasn't had a black member since Democrat Justice G.K. Butterfield lost to Republican challenger Ed Brady in 2002. Former Chief Justice Henry Frye, a black Democrat, lost an election in 2000 to Republican Justice Beverly Lake Jr.

Only once, when Frye was elected in 1986, has a black candidate won a contested race for the high court, Wynn said.

With luck, Wynn said, Timmons-Goodson will run for office unopposed.

"She's a moderate judge with a strong legal mind who appeals to all kinds," he said.

But that was true of Frye, too. And the vacancy in Parker's slot was created only Wednesday.

In announcing the appointment, Easley noted Timmons-Goodson's experience and industriousness.

"Pat's experience as a District Court judge and judge on the N.C. Court of Appeals makes her eminently qualified to serve on this state's highest court," the governor said in a statement. "... I can attest that her knowledge of the law and work ethic are superior. I am certain she will be an outstanding justice."

Lake's impending retirement Jan. 31 prompted the shuffling of Supreme Court seats. Easley still has not filled the appeals court vacancy created when Timmons-Goodson stepped down Oct. 1.

Less than three months after she retired to Fayetteville to travel, rest and spend more time with her husband and two sons, Timmons-Goodson says she is ready to mount a statewide campaign for an eight-year term.

"I now see that I was resting for a reason," she said. "I haven't felt this energized and good in awhile. Bring it on."