Marsha Collins Will Retire Friday

Marsha Collins isn’t the type of woman to just sit around. The Senior Loan Administrator at VCNB has been working since she was just a kid but will end her career when she retires on Friday.

While Marsha has banking in her blood, it was never a given that she would be a banker at all. Many Vinton County residents will remember her father longtime VCNB loan officer Max Barber - a role model for numerous young bankers who worked with him. But Marsha said she worked some other jobs just after high school and did not have a burning desire to be a banker herself.

However, she did answer when opportunity came knocking to work at a bank in McArthur. That was in 1975 and the rest, as they say, is history.

Over the years, Marsha has held a few roles in banking. In fact, she did everything from teller to lender and everything in between. She even spent several years doing collections for another bank. “I was a different kind of collections person. I always thought it was possible to work in collections and not be mean. There’s a way you can do your job and still be good to people, respectful. Just put yourself in their shoes because most people you’re collecting on have other problems. Being nasty doesn’t get anyone anywhere,” she said.

When she came to VCNB in 2008, her job was building loans. In the beginning, she built all kinds of loans including car, commercial and mortgage. As the bank has grown, so has her department, her expertise and her enjoyment of the work she does.

That’s why her impending retirement came as a surprise to some coworkers who are familiar with Marsha’s desire to remain busy and productive.

“I will still be busy. This thing of sitting at home and reading a book, I can’t do that. I like to stay busy so sitting around isn’t for this gal,” she said.

In fact, she so enjoys staying in motion that she even appreciates outside work like mowing and weed eating.

Marsha sometimes walks with a friend and enjoys spending time with her family. She has two sons, four grandsons, three step granddaughters, and two great granddaughters. They are twins and are the first Collins girls born in 54 years. She has plans to babysit part of the time and looks forward to cuddling these baby girls.

She especially loves line dancing, a hobby of hers for 33 years. She goes as much as she can in McArthur and neighboring towns “You just have to keep moving. Keep busy and moving and stay engaged as much as possible,” she said. “I can sleep all I want when I’m dead so I’m keeping my eyes open as long as possible!”

When asked what advice she has for others entering the workforce, Marsha said that it’s important to find enjoyment at work. “Never stay where you aren’t happy. Go find something else that makes you happy. Let someone else have your job while you go do something that’s a better fit for you.”

“I’m lucky to be in good health and able to enjoy the good times,” she said. “I know it’s crazy but I really love working so I really hope I have enough to keep me busy at home. I will miss it but it’s just time to go.”