By Jeremy A. Corley

Managing Editor

Van Alstyne's Linda Bowden was about two years removed from high school when she decided to take a job at First National Bank of Van Alstyne.

Forty-five years later, the teller officer will call it a career and retire from the only job she's has ever had.

"I guess it really hasn't hit me yet," she said.

Her final day at Texas Star Bank will be Friday, July 16, but the bank will hold a daylong reception for her Thursday, July 15, in the lobby from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. All are welcome to stop by for a visit.

When Bowden started working at the bank, it was located in the building that currently houses City Hall. About a year later, everyone moved into the bank's current location. The name change to Texas Star Bank came later.

Bowden, who has lived in the same house west of town her entire life, has been a model of consistency as a bank employee.

"She's very committed to her job," said Jean Sanders, Bowden's supervisor. "I've been here 17 years, and she's only been out one major time when she broke her arm."

Sanders said she couldn't remember the last time Bowden was out sick.

"She's reliable," she continued. "The dedication she's had to this bank for 45 years is tremendous. She's going to be missed."

Her personality has been just as welcome as her consistency.

"She's always been a pleasant, sweet person," said Norma White, who worked with Bowden at the bank's previous location and has gone to church with her for years. "She never complains."

"She's a very endearing, loving person," Sanders said.

After starting doing basic bookkeeping duties in the days before computers, Bowden moved to a desk out front for about 40 years before taking her spot in the drive-through area, where she has spent the last few years.

Bowden said the secret to being happy in one job for 45 years is simple.

"Good people," she said, noting that several other ladies started at the bank at about the same time, with many of them leaving for other jobs and eventually coming back to the bank. "That lets you know it's a good place. And I like dealing with people."

She said most of the banking changes she has seen in her career have been due to computers.

"We've gone from doing everything by hand to computer," she said. Really just about everything as far as banking has changed. When I started, we didn't put everything in the machine -- we just added it up."

She said Van Alstyne has changed even more than the bank.

"The growth of it is good -- we need growth," Bowden said. "There are more places to go."

She added that the down side of the growth is a large number of people she doesn't know.

"We used to just ask, 'Who do they live by?' You can't do that anymore."

Bowden's retirement plans are low-key, with shopping, movies and sleeping in high on her to-do list.

The bank, meanwhile, will continue on without one of its most consistent workers.

"We sure have enjoyed her stay with us," said bank chairman of Board Robert Hynds, who just happens to share Bowden's July birthdate. "She's done a real fine job as our teller over the years.

"She'll be hard to replace because she's been so faithful -- she's been a devoted employee. We appreciate her very much."

Bowden said that while she is looking forward to retirement, she will miss the bank.

"I'm going to miss the people," she said. "It's been a pleasure having them as customers and friends."