You bet we do!
In August, the weather is always hot and humid in eastern North Carolina, especially toward the coast. Last Friday was that sort of day. Friends and family of Sallie Cowell Sawyer were gathered outside, under the trees in Oakdale Cemetery, in Washington, N.C. No one was happy being there.
The shade of the primeval oaks offered little relief from the heat - none for the sorrow. The unexpected loss sharpened the grief, honed the sadness.
Sallie Cowell grew up in eastern North Carolina around Bayview on the Pamlico River. Outdoors type, the tidal river was part of her heart. She knew how to sail, how to fish, how to skinny dip, and how to have fun.
But she was also precise about life. Well, more precisely, she was precise about precision. Sallie believed and practiced the "Do the Right Thing!" calling, but she liked "Do the Right Thing Right!" better. She always delivered and expected you to do the same.
After graduating from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Sallie Cowell spent the next 40 years working for SECU starting as a part-time teller and working in a myriad of positions and departments. Her co-workers recognized her leadership, her fairness, her precision. Sallie Cowell advanced to the top as VP managing the debit/credit card services of the Credit Union.
Under the trees at Oakdale last Friday, the minister took special note of an organization that focused on giving employees the opportunity to learn, to seek, to fail, to explore... and to succeed. An organization that gave people like Sallie Cowell Sawyer the opportunity to "...search for her light and make it shine."
Many, many folks, like Sallie, from all walks of life in North Carolina, have made that journey at SECU ... with remarkable results. Those wonderful people may be SECU's "finest brand"; SECU's most important achievement. What matters more?
😎 There really is no secret about how you build a unicorn credit union. It's not about rates, nor technology. It's not about power, nor profits, nor regulation, nor growth, nor scale, nor prestige, nor "industry standard" - all that is simply an embarrassment of that superficial "new/new, me/me" stuff.
✅ A credit union should be about something more! Perhaps, like that one purpose folks used to believe in with both heart and soul: "People Helping People".
.. "people" like our members, like our employees, like our friends and neighbors in North Carolina.
Suspect that Sallie would say, as she flashed that famous smile, ... precisely!!!
She was at my wedding, there for the birth of my child, with me through my divorce and so many more moments in my life. She was not only my co-worker for over 30 years, she was my friend.
ReplyDeleteWe had a long talk on Wednesday about upcoming retirements, our plans after SECU and of course she had to update me on “ river” her new puppy; we just took some time to catch up with each other. When she was leaving my office I said I love you Sal Cal, and her last words to me were I love you too Crittle!
Gonna miss you my friend.
This is sad news. For many years before my retirement, I had many opportunities to call on Sallie for assistance. I could always depend on her to be friendly, helpful and kind. When I think of Sallie, she always has a beautiful smile and a warm laugh. My heartfelt sympathy to her family and friends.
ReplyDeleteShe really was one of the best and absolutely a true unicorn!!
ReplyDeleteI worked with Sallie for many years at SECU and have many fond memories. One of the best however was not at work. Out of the blue one Monday afternoon while at work, we decided to go to Franklin St in Chapel Hill to watch the 2005 NCAA basketball championship game. UNC vs Illinois. We were at a upstairs bar watching the game screaming our heads off and nervous as we could be. When the game clock ran down to 0.00 we ran down the stairs and on to Franklin St with the rest of the thousands of screaming fans. The game itself was awesome but the company i was with was even better. Had a fabulous time as 2 die hard Tarheel fans cheering on their team. We were still talking about it the next day at work. RiP Sallie. You were one of a kind. GO HEELS!
ReplyDeleteSallie was the brightest star of stars at SECU. It the mood needed a lift, she was that person. She will be missed for her love and energy for family, work family and the SECU members! RIH♥️
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