She now has time to make brooms. Claudie Parson started her career in banking 30 years ago in Crossville and Friday, called it a career at First Mid Bank & Trust. She takes us back to the beginning.
“I started in Crossville in the Drive Thru. They told me they wanted to see me inside and I thought ‘oh no, I’m overdrawn’. So I go inside and they offer me a full time teller position. At the time I was working two part time jobs so a full time job with insurance…it was like somebody dropped heaven in my lap.”
Parson was there for 4 years before moving to Carmi. She’s worked under four name changes but the people have all remained the same. What hasn’t remained constant is how banking gets done.
“When we used to get money…when we ordered it, it would come through the post office. I would take a cart down to the post office, get our money and then walk it back down the street. We still have that cart. We use it for other stuff now, but it’s still here. We also used to open accounts on paper. We didn’t have computers when I started and I’m still computer illiterate 30 years later.”
She’s saying goodbye to banking, but Parson will be doing anything but sitting around and propping her feet up. She’s got a broom making business, grandkids to run around, and she plans to help take care of her mom. The biggest thing she’ll miss? The people.
“I’ve met some amazing people. People that started out as just drive thru customers and they’ve turned into life long friends. The girls that I work with are some of the most amazing people I’ve ever met. They’re all smart and it’s just a great team. That’s what I’m gonna miss the most, the girls I work with.”
An Army veteran, Parson truly has a servant’s heart and even though the party should be for her retirement, over the last month she’s asked her loyal customers to come through for her once again to help out a cause that means something to her. And they delivered.
“I’ve always been one to do fundraisers for stuff. I asked Vicky if I could do one more and of course she said yes. So we sold paws at the drive thru. They’re brightly colored and so the entire inside of the drive thru is lit up colorful. I’ve had so many people that wanted to bring me gifts and I said I don’t want gifts. I’d rather them give something that will help someone else. I don’t need 40 retirement mugs. This is something that will help so many animals.”
For her efforts, she raised $760 that will help animals in the region. Pets @ Risk thanks Claudie for her caring nature and being a friend to others.
