Valerie is a Washington County, Alabama, native. Upon graduation from high school, Valerie began a 20-year career as a Court Specialist in the Washington County Circuit Clerk's Office.   In 2001, Valerie attended Faulkner State Community College Court Reporting Program.  

After graduation, she founded and co-owned Knapp-Hoiles Court Reporting and worked there from 2004 to 2012. During her court reporting career, Valerie also served as an official court reporter with the Honorable Harold Crow, First Judicial Circuit, Washington County, Alabama.

In 2012, Valerie decided to run for the office of Washington County's Circuit Clerk and was elected as Washington County's Circuit Clerk. She is the first woman in the county's history to be elected to this position.