GRAVETTE — Sharron Edmondson was recently named President of Bank of Gravett by the bank's board of directors. She continues the Edmondson family legacy as a fourth generation to hold the title of president, while becoming the first woman in the 119-year history of the bank to hold the position.
Edmondson's great-grandfather, J.T. Edmondson, was a representative of Indian Territory who named Delaware County in the Constitutional Convention. He founded Bank of Gravett March 1, 1898, and served as president from 1912 to 1957.
James Turner Edmondson, Jr., succeeded his father as bank president, where he served from 1958-1983. His son and Sharron's father, Jim Allen Edmondson, currently serves as chairman and vice president of Gravett Bancshares, Inc.
Edmondson began employment at Bank of Gravett in 1996 as an appraiser and was later appointed to the board of directors. Prior to joining the bank, Edmondson was employed as an art instructor at Jay High School and Oaks Mission School while helping manage the family farm operation of livestock, swine, poultry and crops. She still resides on the Edmondson family centennial farm southwest of Maysville with her father, Jim Allen, and daughter Dusti Dawn Crace. The Edmondson family farm is also home of Ft. Wayne, an historic Civil War battleground.
Recalling a story passed down through her family, Edmondson said, "During the Great Depression, my great-grandfather feared a run on the bank, so he traveled by horse and buggy all night to borrow a significant amount of cash from another bank. He returned with the money and stacked it on his desk, so customers could see that their money was safe, but it was there if they wanted it. His plan worked! It relieved their fears and avoided a run on the bank, which allowed Bank of Gravett to survive while thousands of other banks were being forced to close their doors."
Edmondson's formal education includes a bachelor of arts' degree with a minor in animal science from the U of A, as well as a master's degree in secondary education from NSU.
She replaces Rick Pollreis as president. Pollreis, 28-year Bank of Gravett veteran, remains chairman of the board, CFO and president of the bank's holding company, Gravett Bancshares.
Through successful leadership, Bank of Gravett has established a reputation of being a strong community bank, rich in history, with a strong commitment to the northwest Arkansas, southwest Missouri and northeast Oklahoma communities it serves.
General News on 02/08/2017