Tina, center, with her family
Photo, Article by Valerie Sliker, Courtesy Wagener Monthly
After twenty years working in three town hall locations and with two mayors, Tina Salley has retired as town clerk. Charlene Washington has moved into the town clerk position and the town is hiring someone to fill Charlene’s former position, assistant clerk.
“I have learned so much working here and I’ve come to love the community.” Salley said at her retirement party held at the Christ Central Coffeehouse on August 27, 2019. “I have made great friends working here and they are like family. I’ve worked with so many great people here at the town hall, two mayors, several different council members and a lot of employees.
“This community was awesome praying for my family during my husband’s illness, those prayers were needed and we truly felt every one. The community has let me brag on my children and two sweet grandchildren, Nate and Della over the years.
“I love the conversations I’ve had with Mr. George (Smith, councilman). He would come in and share his knowledge of the Bible or get our thoughts on a verse he would be studying. Charlene and I would share our daily devotions, as well, and her faith has been a God-send for me.
“Charlene and I have a great relationship, I will truly miss her. She has been a blessing to me.”
“I will miss Tina so much, we’ve gotten very close. We laugh and cry together.” Charlene said. Tina has been training Charlene for a few months to take over the position. Charlene added, “I’m over the separation anxiety and I’m ready now.”
“I was so blessed to have a retirement party and I'm thankful for the Town for getting it together along with family and friends. It meant so much to me to see the wonderful turn out. Everyone told me that they were going to miss me and then question what they were going to do without me. I thought ‘I'm the one going to miss them, our conversation, and advice from so many.’”
Tina Salley and her husband Paul own the former Busbee’s Hardware Store, now called Palmetto Hardware. With her retirement, she hopes to spend more time at the store and with her grandchildren. Paul said, “She’ll be knocking the rough edges off us.”
“I won’t be far, just a little ways down the road. Stop in and say hello anytime.” Salley said. “I will always hold a special place in my heart for this town and people.” Perhaps you’ll find her in a rocking chair next to the store heater like Jim Busbee, telling stories when he retired from the store so many years ago.