(Editor’s Note: We have a special treat for readers this week — a response from Jimmy Brumley to Liba Payne Peters’ guest column back in July. We’ve chosen to combine his response and her followup remarks into a “co-guest column.” We are grateful to Jimmy and Liba for sharing their memories with us.)
From Jimmy—
In her article, Mrs. Peters, in speaking of Hamilton, states “the only place in the world where people remember my family.” I remember her family, especially her father, Fred Payne, who holds a special place in my heart.
Today, almost every fast food business has a “Help Wanted” or “Now Hiring” sign posted. That was not the case in 1958.
My spending money came from mowing lawns and picking cotton until Mr. Payne contacted me about a job as janitor of the Marion County Banking Company office in Hamilton. For my first “real” job, I was given a key to the bank and $50 a month. For a 10th grader in 1958, that was a gold mine.
My employment lasted until I graduated from Hamilton High in 1961 and expanded to working in bookkeeping and being a teller during the summers. In my senior year, Mr. Payne offered me a full time job if I didn’t go to college. I told him I wanted to go to college, and he said, “You will have a job here when you graduate college.”
After graduating from the University of Alabama in the spring of 1965, I worked at the bank until going into the U.S. Army that fall. I had taken ROTC, and when I told Mr. Payne I had a two-year army commitment, he said, “When you get out, you have a job here.” For six years, Mr. Payne held that job for me--a job that lasted 28 years. My banking career went on to include time at SouthTrust (now Wells Fargo), Community Bank and PeoplesTrust Bank.
The Payne family was an important part of Hamilton. Our community is better because of their contributions, and my life is better because Mr. Payne took an interest in a farm boy whose parents just happened to move to town and settle on the same street.
I should have done this years ago, and so will now take this opportunity to say “THANK YOU” to Frieda, Johnny and Liba for sharing their father with me. It was a blessing!
From Liba—
Thanks to Jimmy Brumley for responding to my article. Our family cherishes his fond remembrance of our daddy and his willingness to share his feelings. The fact our dad held a job for Jimmy for six years says a lot about Jimmy’s character and work ethic.
Bobby Page, mayor of Hamilton, recently told me how dad gave him a job at the bank while he was in high school, as well.
I remember Jimmy Brumley, Bobby Page and Harold Webb were pallbearers at my dad’s funeral. Since my dad’s passing, several other people have expressed gratitude for the help and encouragement he extended to them.
Jimmy also mentioned the community being better because of my parents’ contributions.
I immediately thought of a recent visit I made with a good friend to Pikeville Country Club. As Linda drove me in a golf cart around the front nine holes, as I had done with my dad a million times, memories flooded my mind.
The club plans were actually started in my backyard, which was at that time, a few doors down from Jimmy Brumley’s house on Lovers Lane.
A quote from the 1972 Pikeville Country Club Constitution and By-laws reads, “The first step looking to the organization for the creation of a country club for this area was taken at a party given by Mr. and Mrs. Fred Payne at their home in Hamilton on Labor Day, September 7, 1959, at which time the golfers of Hamilton, and their ladies were guests. At that meeting, there were more than 30 people interested in having a country club.
(Although this column focuses on her father, Liba has noted previously her mom, Louise, was a nurse at the local hospital and later a nursing instructor.)
My recent ride around the Pikeville Country Club and seeing the club still active and vibrant made me happy to know my parents had a hand in making that dream come true for Hamilton.
As a Hamilton High School teacher and coach, and later the Hamilton Marion County Banking Company head cashier and director, my dad enjoyed being actively engaged in the community and helping others to be successful.
After having a heart attack, he organized an exercise group that met at the football field to walk for health. On his birthday, he would give out new dollar bills to people who told him happy birthday and would use the Bible verse that says it is better to give than to receive.
He enjoyed living in Hamilton better than any other place he had lived, and he told his family he wanted to stay in Hamilton the rest of his life…and he did.
See complete story in the Journal Record.
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