Et cetera : Teddi Newton celebrates retirement on last day at Regions Bank

Teddi and colleauges (from left) Heidi Whelan, Sherri McGowan and Angie Kirk.

Teddi Newton is celebrating her retirement with a day-long open house at Regions Bank today.

Teddi Newton with husband, Bill, at her retirement open house.

Teddi Newton started working part-time at Home Savings Bank 28 years, four months and seven days ago.

Now, the longest-serving employee currently at Regions Bank in Vinton is at work for her last day.

Teddi retires today; a day-long open house at the bank allows customers one more chance to say good-bye and wish her well at work.

"This is a bittersweet day. I as I was getting ready for work this morning I realized this has been my routine for so long," she said as she fought back tears. "I will miss my customers and my co-workers."

She has seen many of those customers every week, or more often, since Jan. 24, 1984, when she arrived at the bank now known as Regions for her first day of work.

Over the years, she has seen those customers' families grow. She helped their children set up their first accounts, and watched as they became adults who brought their own children to the bank, where Teddi was waiting to offer them lollipops.

Her own children are among those who remember coming to the bank for those treats.

Daughter Laurie Ortner was 10 when her mom began working. Teddi had worked for the Extension Service before quitting that job to stay at home with her young children.

One day after Laurie had been ill for a while, someone asked Laurie how she liked her mom going to work.

"It's OK,," Laurie replied. "But I don't like her being gone when I am sick."

Laurie and her children are helping Teddi celebrate her retirement today. Husband Bill was there, too, along with Teddi's colleagues.

Teddi said she never expected to work at the bank that many years.

"I started out part-time but six months later I became a full-time employee," she recalled. She said she enjoyed the job and meeting the customers. Also, she said, it was nice to get paid for going on vacation.

Originally known as Vinton Savings Bank, Teddi watched, worked and learned to handle the changes in names and procedures as Home Savings Bank changed owners several more times in her career. She still has the list of names, and mugs bearing several of the names: Mid-America. Homeland. Magna. Union Planters. Regions.

Every name change brought new owners, and new procedures, and new philosophies that govern the business of banking.

Teddi, who worked as a Teller, as well as in financial services and new accounts/loans before becoming the head teller, said that banking is now more sales-driven as there are more products to offer customers.

Technology has also changed. Teddi recalls the days when every transaction was recorded on paper; no virtually all are entered electronically. National security and identity theft concerns have also affected the way even small town banks operate; a sign at the teller's window advises customers that those who do not have accounts at the bank must leave a thumbprint signature if they want to cash a check.

Teddi said retirement will offer her the chance to spend time with her children and grandchildren. She and husband Bill already have plans plans for a family trip to Branson, Mo., as well as a Caribbean cruise with her children and grandchildren early next year.

"When you work, you miss so many things with your children. The time went by so fast," she said.