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By Ernie Smothers
smothers@mckenziebanner.com |
James Sanders at work at Tiger Mart in Bruceton,
Tennessee.
Working while most people are sleeping, James Sanders
pulls the redeye shift (11 p.m. to 7 a.m.) at Tiger
Mart, a community convenience store in Bruceton. Night
manager for 27 years, his responsibilities include
cashier, custodian, stocker, and food service
preparation and sales.
Two hours into his shift, the voluminous road traffic
lessens, giving momentary pause to the floor traffic
inside the store. Taking advantage of the lull, James
busily performs his duties, perpetually preparing the
store for the next day’s work cycle.
“I stock the coolers, empty out and refill the fountain
drink machines, and do clean up around the store. Of
course, there’s always garbage detail."
He continued, "I use to cook a lot early in the morning,
but now I just make sausage on a roll. The regular store
cook comes in at four a.m. and prepares the rest of the
morning breakfast items."
Occasionally, late-night travelers en route to or from
work stop in to purchase gasoline, newspapers, or state
lottery tickets.
As the latest customer departs the store, James leaned
against the counter and said, “I’ve probably waited on
more than a million people here in my 27 years of doing
this job. A lot of folks have entered through the doors
of this store. Truth be known, there's honestly no
telling who all has walked in here."
Gazing out the window into the darkness, James said,
"I’ve had so many friends from years past that would
just come by here to see me and shoot the breeze. A lot
of them, like Travis Bridges, Jack Humphrey and Gary
Ruble Alexander are gone now. We sure had some fun
times.” Laughing, he recalled, "Rubel used to come in
here late at night and play the harmonica and dance.
There were lots of other folks who would come by but I
just can't remember their names at the moment. Maybe I'm
just getting old or forgetful. But…I can tell you
this-I've shared a lot of good times with good friends
in this store over the years.”
Despite a slight trace of gray in his hair, Sanders
moves about the store like a man on a mission. Youthful
looking at 61, he exudes the confidence and congenialty
of a man who has seen and experienced much.
Set to retire on his 62nd birthday on October 12, James
hopes to ease into a well-deserved retirement, one he
plans to spend with his wife, children, grand children
and great grandchildren.
"It seems that all my working life I've had to do
everything in such a hurry. Lately, I've started to slow
down a little, and I'm planning on slowing down even
more when I retire.” He added, “Each of us only have so
many days to live on this earth. I can’t really afford
to retire right now, but I want to enjoy my life while I
have the chance to," he said.
Born on October 12, James is a life-long Carroll County
native.
“My parents were Arvil and Jennie Sanders from
Huntingdon, and I have one brother named William,” he
said.
School Days
"I started first grade at Tate School, located on
Jackson Highway. First graders all the way up to eight
graders studied in the same room. From there, I attended
Huntingdon High School."
He recalled that some of his teachers at HHS were
Margaret Purdue, Hubert Dill, and Edna Smith.
"The teachers at Huntingdon were good people but they
wouldn't put up with stuff. They would straighten you
out over there."
Working Man
Regarding his first work experience, James thought for a
moment and said, “I remember now…it was picking cotton.”
He said, "After cotton picking, I moved on to work for a
lot of different people and companies around Huntingdon.
I worked for Patterson Esso, Red Harris Construction,
Consumers Oil Company, Priest Motor Company, John
Harris' Sinclair, Daniel Oil Company and at a grocery
store owned by Jack McCaslin and later owned by Joe
Wilks."
Q-Mart / Tiger Mart
"I've worked the same shift, 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. my entire
time at this place. When I was hired back in ‘79,
Hilliard Collins owned the store. For the last six or
seven years, Reynolds Brothers has leased it. They've
made a lot of changes and repairs, and may even own it
now."
"When I arrive for work a little before 11 p.m., there’s
usually a fair amount of people in the store.” He added,
“As far as friends who come by to visit, I can usually
count on seeing Bobby Bouldin, Eddie Gene Dupree or
“Fire-ball” Roberts dropping by."
Early Risers
As regular as clockwork, the usual early morning crowd
funnels into the store the store between three and four
a.m.
He said, "I can usually expect to see "Pee-Wee" Massey,
Jack Rudder, and John Deniker. You also see those who
work across the river at Dupont.”
Often present at the store in the pre-dawn hours are CSX
railroad employees as well as local and traveling
construction crews.
As climatic seasons change, so do the clientele. The
summer months bring out fishermen and boaters, while
fall and winter brings out the duck hunters.
“A lot of these folks will come by before daylight to
eat some breakfast and talk before heading off. We've
got quite a few early risers that live in the Bruceton
and Hollow Rock area.”
In Sickness and Health
James stated that his wife, Doris (McDowell) Sanders,
whom he married on December 24, 1961, has been enduring
health related problems since suffering a stroke in
2001.
"In the past, Doris has fallen down and broken her arm
and broken other bones as well. I am thankful that she
hasn't broken her hip."
He stated that he was deeply appreciative of the help
and encouragement he and his wife have received from his
brother-in-law Billy Smith throughout their ordeal.
He said, "Billy and his wife Martha have been so good to
us through all the ups and downs we've been through.
They, along with Nona Moore, have literally kept me
together since all of this happened." He continued, "I’m
thankful to have good neighbors and good friends. A
person would be in bad shape if they didn't have people
they could count on during hard times-they have done so
much for us."
Time Goes By
James noted that he and Doris are the proud parents of
daughter Lisa (Sanders) McCaig.
He said, "Lisa was born on April first, 1963, and now
lives in Paris. She has two grown children, Michael and
Amanda."
Laughing he remarked, "Not only do I have grandchildren,
I also have great grandchildren. Leann is four and Levi
Rabey is five months old. Man… I'm feeling old again!"
Retirement and Beyond
James stated that his plans for retirement might include
a little hunting and fishing.
"My brother-in-law is always telling me to get my
fishing license. Years ago, we hunted and fished all the
time. I really enjoyed that. He has a boat, a camper,
and everything a person needs to hunt and fish. I think
I'm going to get back into it some."
Other retirement plans include rebuilding and replacing
siding on the outside of his shop. “That’s a big
priority to me.” Grinning, he continued, “I’m sure my
wife has a few plans set aside for me as well.”
Concluding, James reflected, "You know, I've seen a lot
of little kids come in to this store that are now grown
up and have kids of their own nearly grown. It really is
a bit amazing at how quickly years pass by."
He added, "I'm grateful for all the many friends I have
and have known in my life. Now, it really is time for me
to enjoy a little peace and relaxation. There is a lot
more to life than money. Time can't be replaced. I can
honestly say that I'm looking forward to 7:01 a.m.,
October 13." |
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