LOOKING AHEAD
By
Maryann Miller
After 42 years with the First National Bank in Winnsboro, Brenda Shirley, Marketing Officer, recently retired. Stepping into that position is Linda Finney, who has also been with the bank for a number of years. (L-R) Brenda and Linda)
Brenda says she is going to miss work in some ways, especially the people. "I think that has been the best part of my job," she says. "I love working with people. When I was a Personal Banking Officer I really enjoyed working with people on all aspects of their banking and financial needs. It was good to have that kind of continuity."
Now that she is retired, Brenda says she is going to take her time deciding what activities and interests she will pursue in the future. "I made a pact with myself, and with Ronnie, and with God that I would wait a year before I jump into a million things," she says. "People who retire think they we'll have all this free time and sometimes commit to too many things. I didn't want to do that."
One of the things she know she wants to do is travel with her husband and spend more time with their six grandchildren. "We are both looking forward to that," she says. "Family is so important."
At her recent retirement reception at the bank, Brenda visited with a lot of the people she has served in her various 
roles at the bank. It was a cold, rainy day and she seemed surprised that so many people braved the nasty weather to come and wish her well. She joked that it was probably the free food.
However, it was apparent that she was the main draw for friends, bank customers, and former co-workers. There were several retirees there that day and she is pictured here with Ann Morgan to her left and Sandra Bailey next to Ann. They all had stories to tell and news to catch up on.
Brenda's husband, Ronnie and their son, Rustin, attended the reception that day. Rustin is the Postmaster at the Winnsboro Post Office, a position he stepped into after Chris McElyea retired. Chris was Postmaster for several years after Ronnie retired.
Maybe they were talking Post Office business that day as they visited. (L-R: Annette McElyea, Chris McElyea, Rustin Shirley, and Ronnie Shirley.)
Brenda is a long-time Winnsboro resident, moving here when she was in the 6th grade and staying in the area ever since. While she lives in Leesburg, she is connected to Winnsboro clubs and organizations. She is an active member of the Civic Club, was on the Main Street Advisory Board, and is a big supporter of the Winnsboro Center For the Arts.
She appeared in a few of the theatre productions there and plans to get involved again. "I'm going to take my time, though," she says. "Like I said, I don't want to jump into too many things and not be effective in any of them. I'll take this first year and relax. Enjoy my family and some traveling, then look at what I want to get involved with in the community."
We can't wait.
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