Peoples Bank of Graceville celebrated its 50th year in business on Friday, July 12, 2024 exactly 50 years prior to the opening of the bank doors on Friday, July 12, 1974. The bank hosted a reception with friends, family, and customers all enjoying fellowship and sharing of memories.

Peoples Bank of Graceville President David Watford opened up the special event stating, “When I look at all the people in here and the contributions to this…everybody here played a part in us still being here, and we appreciate you.” He continued, “If I had to think of one word to describe what I see in here today, it would be commitment.” He spoke about the decades of service from all the employees noting that past-President Donald Graham, staff members Carol Smith, Benjie Crisp, and Martha Sasser all had over forty years of commitment to the Peoples Bank of Graceville business and family.

He then read from the minutes of the first Board of Directors meeting for the bank, which was held on July 19, 1974 at the offices of Rex Lumber with all members of the board present. He then named all original board members as well as noting that three board members remained on this Earth and all three were at the reception. He went on to note that the meeting started with prayer and that prayer would also be what lead the next board meeting and what continues to lead all board meetings. “My point is this bank had a compass from the minute it was started, and we’ve stuck to our compass. There is not a meeting we have that we don’t pray and today we need to be very thankful and tell God how thankful we are.”

Dr. Jerry Windsor then led the reception in prayer. He spoke about the importance of Christians understanding money and possessions noting that Jesus had spoken more about money in the Books of the Gospel than he did about Heaven and hell adding, “Jesus knew money was a good slave but poor master.” He finished noting that Jesus had stated in Acts, it was better to give than to receive.

Peoples Bank of Graceville’s first bank president and the bank’s current Board of Director’s Chairman Donald Graham then spoke. He talked about the history and the beginning years of the bank. He spoke highly and frequently about Mr. Robert McRae Sr., and his persistence in starting the community owned bank and having Donald Graham as president of it. He added, “I have never met a man that was as honest as Robert McRae… of all the associations I’ve had, never a man like him.” Mr. Graham finished stating, “It’s been a wonderful time, I’ve enjoyed the banking industry.”

Mr. John Turner also spoke adding with a smile, “We’re a bank of second chances.” He went on to comment that eight employees had returned to the bank after leaving for other careers or to start families. He laughed that even he was a second- chancer leaving for 32 years to work at the Vanity Fair Outlet in Graceville before coming back around 2013. “When we talk about it being a family atmosphere, it definitely is. I just appreciate Mr. Graham and all he has done for me over the years, he’s been a great mentor for me in my career.”

Watford shared sentiments giving thanks to all the employees and their work ethic. “We’re small by banking standards and by staffing standards. Everybody in our bank knows how to do multiple things. Everybody gets trained to do this and you may not know how to do something today, but you might learn it tomorrow. And that’s how we operate and that’s how we are able to stay.”

Bank President David Watford also recognized Mr. Simon Britt at the reception. Mr. Britt is not only the bank’s oldest customer at 102 years old, but also one of the longest serving customers who opened an account with the bank in its starting days in 1974. Mr. Britt spoke briefly praising the bank and its employees. Mr. Britt finished, “If you need some money tomorrow, call the bank today.”

Photo By Mattox Studios

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