A popular Dillard’s sales rep, who retired after 74 years without sick leave, has revealed that it was the commute that ended up proving too much.
Melba Mebane, 90, was feted by the entire staff at the Tyler, Texas outlet when she bid them farewell to a farewell party in June.
She joined the store’s predecessor in 1949 as a 17-year-old elevator operator and throughout her decades of service at the company, she always made sure to arrive at 9am to secure a parking spot.
But when her previous 15-minute commute hit 30 minutes, she decided she’d finally had enough.
“As soon as I walked in the door, I put my car keys on the table, looked at my son and said, ‘I’m done,'” she told CNBC.
Rush-hour traffic finally put an end to Melba Mebane’s 74-year retail career, although son Terry (right) took the wheel
After 74 years at the department store, Melba received a royal farewell to colleagues, family and friends at a farewell party in June
“I enjoyed going to work every day,” she added.
“If you’re happy with what you’re doing, why not keep doing it?”
Melba’s son Terry Mebane has fond memories of his mother going to work every day because she loved what she did, adding that he was inspired by her work ethic.
He said he often hung out with his mother at the retail giant and noted that he “grew up at Dillard’s.”
Terry added, “She’s a grinder.” The store would open at 10 a.m. and she wanted her parking spot, so she got there between 9 a.m. and 9:15 a.m.
“She was the first person to the door and had her counter ready. She did the prep work. It only took her 30 minutes for lunch.
“She brought her lunch, went upstairs to have lunch after 25 minutes, and then she was back on the floor because she knew people were leaving a lot.” [during] “During her lunch break, she came to the mall to buy what they wanted to buy and she didn’t want to pass up this opportunity.”
After moving into the menswear department, she made a name for herself in the cosmetics department and stayed there until her retirement.
A plaque with Melba’s photo will forever hang on the shop where she worked for so long
“There were these gift baskets that one of the girls just couldn’t sell,” she recalls.
“They asked me to try it, so I stepped out from behind the counter in the aisle and started talking to people about the baskets.”
“I sold every single one. So I was told that’s where I live.’
She turned down repeated promotion offers, telling the broadcaster, “Nobody likes management because they have to make difficult decisions.”
“I liked my friends at work and wanted to keep them, so I just focused on being the best salesperson I could be.”
At 65, she was told she would work as long as she wanted and management begged her to stay when she finally decided she had to go.
“Can you imagine how many people she has coached, taught and trained to become more?” branch manager James Saenz told Fox News Digital.
“It’s just amazing to think how many lives she touched,” he added.
“She’s not just a saleswoman. she is a mother she guides you She gives you life advice. She’s gorgeous.’
Melba advised others to “come to work” and “never think of it as a ‘paycheck.'”
Dillard’s hosted a retirement party for Melba, where she received a Beyond Excellence Award.
Melba finally has more time for her family and her grandchildren
Her career was still going on in the late 80’s when she celebrated her birthday with her grandchildren
After 74 years, the experienced shop worker can finally put her feet up
A plaque with her photo now hangs on the wall in the Tyler store.
“It will stay here as long as there are Dillard’s,” said Saenz.
“Beyond Excellence is characterized by decades of activity that exceeds all expectations.”
‘Even [with] As times change, from their beginnings to where we are in the modern world, their values and everything still endures.”