Melba Mebane, a remarkable woman from Texas, devoted an astounding 74 years of her life to working in sales at Dillard’s department store. Notably, she never missed a single day of work or called in sick throughout her long and illustrious career.
Melba, now 90 years old, has a captivating tale to share about her time as an employee at Dillard’s, and those who had the privilege of working alongside her over the years have also opened up about their experiences with Melba.
Her journey began in 1949 at the Mayer & Schmidt department store in Tyler, Texas, where she worked as an elevator girl. When Dillard acquired the store in 1956, Melba seamlessly transitioned to working for them until her retirement in July 2023, at the age of 90.
Melba primarily served as a salesperson at Dillard’s. She fondly recalled the joy of interacting with familiar faces on the sales floor, but her career at Dillard’s commenced in the men’s clothing department after initially spending six months as an elevator girl. Eventually, she found her niche in the cosmetics department, where she would spend the remainder of her time at the store.
Her son, Terry Mebane, reminisced about how Melba’s versatility and adaptability became evident when she was asked to fill in for a sick colleague in the cosmetics department. Melba took on the challenge wholeheartedly and excelled at it. In fact, she even devised a unique approach to sell gift baskets that were struggling to attract customers. Melba took the initiative to engage with people directly on the sales floor, stepping out from behind the counter and persuasively promoting the gift baskets. Her efforts paid off, as she managed to sell every single one.
As news of Melba’s exceptional sales abilities spread, manufacturers started sending her various products, including bottles of perfume, to endorse their merchandise.
Terry shared that Melba had amassed quite a collection of perfume bottles, such as Chanel and Coco, which she delighted in giving away to friends and acquaintances. The pastor at their church affectionately referred to her as the “cosmetic bootlegger” as she would discreetly offer him perfume samples after the service.
According to Terry, Melba held a special place in the hearts of corporate leadership, the Dillard family, and her fellow employees. They recognized her as the heartbeat of the store. Even in her later years, Melba enjoyed a close friendship with Mr. and Mrs. Dillard, who exempted her from working on Sundays and night shifts as a token of their appreciation.
Store manager James Saez commended Melba for being a mentor to many and motivating them to aspire for greatness. Her dedication to providing exceptional customer service set the standard for others at Dillard’s. To honor her immense contributions, Melba received a “Beyond Excellence” award and her photograph now adorns a plaque displayed within the store.
Ginger Wimbs, a coworker who spent 33 years working alongside Melba, described her as a source of amusing anecdotes, a lover of people, and someone who genuinely cared for others. Melba’s retirement left a void not only in terms of her sales expertise but also in the realm of friendship.
As Melba bid farewell to her colleagues at a retirement party, she was deeply moved by the kind words and praise she received. Drue Methany, the Vice President of Dillard’s, had known Melba for 65 years and expressed admiration for her selfless service to the community and the numerous friendships she cultivated over the years. Drue marveled at Melba’s incredible rapport with people and expressed a desire to possess even a fraction of her remarkable qualities.
While many people were inspired by Melba’s dedication and work ethic, some felt a tinge of sadness that she had devoted 74 years of her life without much time for herself. However, Melba herself holds no regrets about her lifelong commitment to her work. She advised young people entering the business world to maintain consistent attendance and view their jobs as more than just a means to an end. Melba urged individuals to remain steadfast where they were planted, following the path that God had set for them.
Melba Mebane’s extraordinary story of unwavering dedication and service is a testament to her indomitable spirit and the lasting impact she made during her remarkable career.