Editor:

            Recently our mother, Marie Waters, was honored by her employer, Dabbs, Hickman, Hill, & Cannon, CPAs, with a celebration luncheon for her 40th year of service with the firm.

            We wanted to publicly thank Mr. Earl Dabbs, Mr. Billy Hickman, Mr. Edwin Hill, and Mr. Steve Cannon for recognizing the lifetime commitment of a faithful and dedicated employee. In an environment where the average worker will change jobs seven times before reaching the age of 40, we realize that our mother’s commitment is unique and special, as is the firm at which she works.

            Our society could learn a lot from this relationship where she has been faithful to a firm that has been faithful to her. We would also like to publicly thank our mother for teaching us by example the lessons of honesty, loyalty, dedication, and commitment in every aspect of our lives – including work. If you know her, you know that she is an energetic, fast-paced lady who gives 110 percent everyday. She works like there is no tomorrow and has the energy of a 40-year-old, although she celebrated her 71st birthday in March.

            In 40 years of service to Dabbs, Hickman, Hill, and Cannon, she has worked almost 10,400 days of which she has been absent approximately 100 days (30 for  Marty’s birth and 60 when our father was diagnosed with cancer and passed away in 1998) …. a 99 percent attendance record.

            Although she is a career woman, we have never been slighted or placed on the back burner. School events, church events, childhood parties, and special events for her three grandsons – Alan, Corey, and Thomas – were and are always managed in her schedule. She is faithful to our church, serving as a church treasurer and active in our choir ministry. Just call her the Energizer Granny.

            At the luncheon, she shared some advice given to her by her father. He told her, “Marie, a good name and reputation are better than riches and fame.” We believe that she has achieved the reputation of an honest, hard-working, loving mother, wife, grandmother, and employee. 

            We thank you, mama, for instilling in us strong work ethics, and we thank you, the employees of Dabbs, Hickman, Hill, and Cannon, for recognizing a very special lady.  At the rate she is going, you may want to start planning for her 50th year of service.

Mike and Marty Waters

Statesboro