Beardens Visit

For a number of years, I had the privilege of working with Lamar Bearden. Lamar and I were counterparts in our respective divisions of SUPERVALU, when I began as manager of the Retail Systems department in Indianola in 1990. Lamar worked at the Anniston, Alabama division and later moved to Atlanta.

When the process of regionalization began in earnest in 1995, neither of us was interested in the Director position at the regional office. Lamar didn’t want the responsibility, and I didn’t want to relocate to Atlanta. We ‘sweated’ though the whole downsizing process, kept our jobs, and received different job titles. We became specialists, but since the pay went up, we didn’t mind. Through our association, we became friends, and if it can be said we looked forward to regional meetings, it should be noted we saw them as opportunities to spend time together.
Later, when further consolidations occurred within SUPERVALU, Lamar was given the opportunity to retire. Though now retired from SUPERVALU, Lamar continues to work. He found a twenty-seven store retailer in Atlanta who needed his technical skills. Lamar schedules himself to work Monday through Wednesday, but his wife, Charlene, tells us his typical week exceeds that, and a three-day workweek is the exception not the rule.

If Lamar misses working for SUPERVALU, he never lets on that he does. In fact, he told me a few years ago that he makes more money and has more time to enjoy life than before his retirement.
I can’t remember the year I told Lamar about my newsletter, but after reading a few issues, he and Charlene (Pop and Gaga to their grandchildren) became fans of RRN. Lamar has contributed at least one article to this newsletter. Longtime subscribers may recall Lamar’s story on the annual egg hunt at his house, held primarily for the grandchildren.

I remember that Lamar and Charlene really wanted to attend one of the RRN backyard parties of recent years, but something always came up at the last minute to spoil their plans.

Earlier this year, Lamar phoned me regarding a project involving his group of stores and SUPERVALU Atlanta. At some point in the conversation he stated he and Charlene would be driving through Tupelo on their way to Branson, Missouri in the spring.

"We’d like to stop over and see the Carters on our way," he stated. "We’ll stay the night in Memphis, but we’d like to visit you and Barbara since we’re going to be so close."

"Hey, just let us know when to expect you," I stated. "Y’all can spend the night at our house if you like."

A few weeks ago, Lamar emailed me on a Thursday afternoon to let me know they would be passing through that Saturday afternoon. When Lamar called with an update Saturday morning, Barbara busied herself making a pitcher of tea and a peach cobbler. All was ready when the Beardens arrived around one o’clock.

Our granddaughter, Anna Butler, came over to visit, also, bringing Zoey, the dog. While I had met Lamar’s wife in the nineties on a business trip and had visited in their home in Villa Rica, Georgia, just a few years ago, it would be Anna and Barbara’s first time to meet Lamar and Charlene.

We were able to visit for almost two hours before the two were ready to drive into Memphis for the evening. Lamar and Charlene seemed to enjoy getting to visit our home and see the neighborhood both of which they’ve read about for several years. Barbara and I thoroughly enjoyed having them stop by our house, and we look forward to a time of reciprocal sharing if we happen to be traveling near the Bearden’s present home just south of Atlanta.