Taylor retires after 20 years at CB&S Bank

RUSSELLVILLE — Myra Taylor is preparing for retirement after 20 years at CB&S Bank.

Her career was built on service, teamwork and helping others. She was Deposit Services manager at the bank’s Operations Center in Russellville, the bank’s only operations center in Alabama Taylor’s career involved supporting various branches across the bank’s system by researching transactions, resolving account issues, and helping employees find answers to customers’ questions.

“Our main job is to service the branches and assist them in ways they need,” she said.

Her department completes research on items presented with incorrect information, handles Social Security returns, and works to resolve issues as quickly as possible.

“You start going 90 to nothing because you want to make sure everything’s corrected as soon as possible,” she said.

Although customers rarely see the work performed in Deposit Services, Taylor said the job requires patience, research and a desire to help others.

“It’s self-rewarding to be able to assist and find answers for people,” she said. “I like to make people happy.”

Taylor joined CB&S Bank two decades ago after spending 28 years with Winn-Dixie. The opportunity to join the bank came after Winn-Dixie left the area, allowing her to return home and spend more time with her family.

She began in electronic banking and later worked in the Fraud Department before eventually moving to Deposit Services.

“It’s never dull,” Taylor said of her work. “It’s something new all the time.”

Over the years, she has watched banking change dramatically.

“You don’t see as many checks anymore,” she said. “Everything’s going electronic.”

She also has watched CB&S continue to grow while maintaining its hometown roots.

“It’s a hometown bank for me,” Taylor said. “It’s been a good, steady growing company over the years.”

Taylor said she was honored to receive the bank’s SERVE. Award, which recognizes employees who exemplify CB&S Bank’s core values of Stability, Engagement, Responsibility, Vision, and Excellence.

She also credits her coworkers, including Sandy Berry, and former supervisor Beverly Seale with helping her grow throughout her banking career.

Working in community banking has been especially meaningful, she said.

“I’ve been proud to represent the bank because of its history and strength in the community,” Taylor said. “You get to know your customers and understand their needs.”

The people she has worked with are what she’ll miss most.

“I have a great team that I work with, and I will miss them,” Taylor said.

She has built friendships with coworkers throughout Alabama, Tennessee, Mississippi and Georgia, including some she has never met in person.

“There’s been some remarkable people,” she said.

A Russellville High School graduate, Taylor was born in Decatur and moved to Russellville when she was 2 years old. Her father, W.L. Cochran, workedforLibertyNational Insurance, and her mother, Johnye Cochran, was a homemaker.

She and her husband, Wade, who met while both worked at Winn-Dixie, will celebrate 44 years of marriage in November. They have two children, Cody Taylor and Katie Allen, and one granddaughter, Annie Ruth Allen.

In retirement, Taylor looks forward to spending more time serving her community and church and enjoying time with her granddaughter.

For those beginning a career in banking, she offers simple advice.

“Be flexible and openminded because changes occur,” Taylor said. “Banking evolves with technology, so there’s always changes to come.”

Looking back on her career, Taylor said the relationships she built have meant the most.

“Make your work family part of your family because you spend a lot of time with them,” she said. “Learn to appreciate the good and work through the bad. They will be your support team when you need them.”