Meet the 90-Year-Old Woman Who Just Retired After 74 Years in Retail
Some careers simply blend into the background, but this one stayed visible for decades. In Tyler, Texas, shoppers came to recognize the same woman year after year behind the counter. She began in the years after World War II and remained through the rise of malls and the shift toward online retail. Her days traced the changing face of American shopping.
Melba Mebane retired at 90 after 74 years in department stores. Coworkers leaned on her memory, customers trusted her advice, and managers valued her presence. Over time, she became link between generations of families who walked through doors.
How a 17-Year-Old Started a Seven-Decade Career
Melba began working in 1949 at age 17 through a work-study program while attending Tyler High School. Her first role was operating elevators at Mayer & Schmidt department store, a job common during an era when stores employed staff to manually control elevators and assist customers between floors.
When the store was acquired by Dillard’s in 1956, her employment continued seamlessly. She later moved into men’s clothing sales and eventually transitioned into cosmetics. That department became her long-term professional base, where she built a reputation for strong customer interaction and steady sales performance.
For most of her career, Melba worked full-time hours, usually around 40 hours per week. Her daily routine stayed consistent for decades. She woke early, handled personal errands, and arrived before opening time to prepare her sales area and secure her preferred parking spot.
Coworkers and management widely recognized her for showing up consistently across decades of employment—a reputation that became a defining part of how colleagues described her work ethic.
Retail as Family, Community, and Stability
Melba described her job as something that extended beyond income. While raising her son Terry as a single mother, the store provided financial stability along with a daily support network. Over time, workplace relationships turned into long-term friendships, and her son spent time at the store after school, becoming familiar with the environment.
Her connection with company leadership also developed gradually. She became acquainted with members of the Dillard family, including founder William T. Dillard. Later schedule adjustments reduced late-night and Sunday shifts, allowing her to continue working comfortably as she grew older.
Colleagues often described Melba as highly conversational and approachable with customers. One story frequently shared from her career involves stepping out from behind the counter to introduce products directly to shoppers, including a moment when she sold an entire inventory of gift baskets that others struggled to move.
Customer loyalty often followed her personally rather than staying tied to the location itself. Family accounts describe shoppers visiting the cosmetics counter specifically to work with her, reflecting a retail era built heavily on individual relationships.
Retirement and Recognition
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Several practical factors influenced her decision to retire. Increasing commute traffic became frustrating. Health concerns also became more noticeable after periods of illness. At age 90, she chose to step away from daily retail work.
Even in her later years, she maintained a steady multi-day weekly schedule. She had physical stamina and a strong personal attachment to her workplace.
Upon retiring, Melba received a Beyond Excellence award recognizing her decades of service. The store installed a plaque featuring her photo to honor her contribution. Managers and coworkers described her influence through mentoring, training, and customer service leadership that shaped store culture over time.
Her retirement celebration included coworkers, family members, and company representatives. It was obvious how closely her career was tied to the store’s identity within the community.
Her Advice for Long Career Satisfaction
In interviews and public statements, Melba encouraged people to choose work based on personal fulfillment and not salary alone. She emphasized finding environments where people feel capable, supported, and comfortable working with those around them.
She also highlighted the role of workplace relationships in long-term job satisfaction. Connection to coworkers and customers can shape professional longevity alongside pay or promotion opportunities.
Life After 74 Years of Retail
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After retirement, Melba moved into a retirement community in Tyler. Former coworkers continue visiting and staying in touch. She also spends time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Her retirement plans include travel, enjoying meals with family, and resting after more than seven decades of steady employment. Former customers and coworkers continue sharing stories tied to her time on the sales floor.
Long-term employment at a single company has become less common in modern career patterns. Melba’s career shows an earlier employment model built around stability, routine, and long-term employer relationships.
Across 74 years, she experienced major shifts in retail technology, customer behavior, and store operations. Through each transition, she remained a steady presence, leaving behind a legacy.