By Charles Romans
Carter County Times
It is said that if you work at something you love then you will never work a day in your life. Although that might not be universally true, enjoying a career you have chosen can make all the difference in the world. Bonnie Horton is a fine example of this. She is a Grayson native who began her career of choice before she even graduated from business school and has been at it quite some time. In fact, Horton technically began her career just before graduation – and when she told her business school professor that she had been offered a job at First National Bank, that professor ‘tested her out’ and graduated her early.
That was fifty years ago as of Thursday, September 19, 2024. Since then, Horton has worked her way up through the company to become the Chief Operations Officer for First National Bank. An impressive achievement, and one that (in spite of what Horton might prefer) has not gone unnoticed. Or unappreciated by those she has helped along the path of her career. Horton, who prefers to remain ‘low key,’ was pulled into the spotlight at a ceremony held in her honor at First National Bank’s Grayson Branch.
Eric Kersey of First National Bank introduced the speakers who showed up for Horton’s special day and had words of his own to show his appreciation of her. “When we first began putting this together Bonnie told me she was nervous and I asked her why,” Kersey told those assembled in front of the bank on Thursday. “She said she had never really been in the spotlight,” Kersey said. “And that speaks volumes about Bonnie. She has spent a fifty-year career making the people around her better. And it’s hard to say thank you for everything she has done.”
But difficult or not to put everything Bonnie Horton has meant to her coworkers; the day was all about trying to do just that. And those who wanted to show their gratitude were not just coworkers, but members of the community and beyond.
Carter County Judge Executive Brandon Burton was the first speaker at the event and said he was grateful to be able to honor Bonnie Horton. “She is a great asset to our community,” Burton said. “And it’s an honor to speak about people in our community and how hard they work When you look around, you can tell how much she is appreciated and how much she is loved.”
“The Governor’s Office has asked me to present Bonnie with a Kentucky Colonel certificate. And also, I have a proclamation that was brought before me in the Fiscal Court to approve,” Burton said. The Judge Executive then read the proclamation declaring September 19, 2024, Bonnie Horton Day in Carter County.
Grayson Mayor Troy Combs attended the ceremony to show his respect to Horton both as mayor and as a member of the community. “Just in case you don’t know, Bonnie isn’t retiring,” Combs told the crowd. “She’s going to continue working,” Combs said appreciatively. He then shared with the crowd what he believed that sort of dedication meant to the city.
“Bonnie has been a citizen of this town and a taxpayer,” Combs said. “And its people like her that have contributed to the longevity of our city, this bank, our county, and state. And she truly does deserve recognition.” After congratulating Horton on her milestone, Combs awarded her the key to the city of Grayson. Combs also read a Citation of Recognition sent to Bonnie Horton from Senator Robin Webb and the Kentucky Senate.
There was no shortage of community leaders and Bank Officers who wished to congratulate Horton on her stellar career. And as each took their place at the podium, it was to share similar stories of the support, wisdom, and grace that Horton shared with everyone she worked with and every single customer she helped. In the end, at the insistence of her friends and coworkers, Horton herself took her inevitable turn at the speaker’s podium.
“I’m not very good at this,” Horton began. “Especially large crowds. But I just wanted to say how thankful and grateful I am for you all and this bank. This has been the best place to work. I have raised my kids and met many, many people in the community and coworkers past and present. I can’t express the gratitude I feel for all this. You have made me feel very, very special. Thank you all.”
Horton said that she truly loves her career and does not have any plans to retire any time in the near future because the bank, her coworkers, and the people in the community she serves are like family. And everyone loves spending time with family.
Contact the writer at charles@cartercountytimes.com
