Two popular employees of Vowells Marketplace in Starkville have assisted and wished a good day to their final customers.
Mary Odom and Wayne Livingstone have both retired from the neighborhood grocery where they both worked for 23 years. Odom worked as a cashier. Livingston worked as a bagger. Friday was their last day.
“They started here when the store opened, and they just kind of grew a fanbase,” store manager Max Stillman told The Dispatch. “Especially Wayne, since he’s just such a lovable guy.”
Odom has known Livingstone since before they began working at the store, back in 1992 when it was owned by Food Max. Livingstone, who has Down syndrome, does not drive to work. Odom drove him for years, ever since Livingstone’s father retired from his job at Mississippi State University — at least 10 years, Odom said.
The two employees stayed through five different owners, all of whom kept them on in their positions. Odom knows customers who came in when they were children and who now bring their own children to the store.
“Twenty-three years is a long time to be in one place,” she said.
Befriending customers is the thing she will miss the most, Odom says.
“It’s been a long journey, a good journey,” she said. “I really don’t have any complaints about it. I’ve just been truly blessed.”
Other employees surprised Livingstone and Odom with a retirement party Friday. Coworkers, friends and family were there for cake, flowers and balloons. Reporters from WCBI and two newspapers also attended.
“I thought, ‘When is ESPN coming?'” Odom said.
At the end of the retirement party, Stillman and the employees presented Livingstone with a Mississippi State University Belk Bowl shirt that he had wanted ever since the store got them in. Stillman had never let him get one, planning to surprise him with the gift when he retired.
“He was so excited,” Stillman said. “You could see his eyes light up whenever he opened up his present.”
Livingstone is a huge Bulldogs fan. Stillman and other managers have taken him to MSU sporting events, where Livingstone is regularly recognized.
“When I take him to sporting events … it’s almost like being with a celebrity because so many people know him,” Stillman said. “Everybody wants to talk to him. So you know it makes him feel really good also.”
Though she said it was time for her and Livingstone to both “learn to relax a little bit,” Odom is sad to be moving on.
“It’s kind of hard to let go after 23 years,” she said.
Still, Odom has plans for retirement. She has a new 9-week-old Boston terrier named “Grace” who needs training, and she expects Grace to keep her busy.
“That’s what I’m going to be doing for the next year,” Odom laughed. “You know, puppies are like babies. You have to spend time training them right from wrong. I got to take her to meet Wayne. He’s never met her yet.”
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 30 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 30 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
