Greeter gets a birthday greeting

Staff

Published Saturday, September 13, 2003

Suffolk News-Herald

Lottie Lassiter Goodman recently celebrated her 85th birthday and every Wal-Mart associate in Suffolk sang "Happy Birthday" as she offered one of the bright smiles she bestows upon shoppers in the store.

Wal-Mart's Manager Sam Wiggs welcomed "Miss Lottie" to the Radio Grill inside the store, and as she used her cane to join a large throng of employees circled around to greet her, she was obviously surprised.

"We mark this day as "Lottie Goodman Day" in Suffolk and we want you to know we love you and appreciate you so much," said Wiggs. "There are not too many people that are 85 who can do what you do. We wish you so many more years."

Goodman serves as a Wal-Mart "greeter" and she said there is one simple reason for her continued service to the store and its customers after almost 10 years.

"I've had good people to work with and they are all like my family," said Goodman. "The customers are also like an extended family and I love to meet them and just talk with them. It keeps me going."

Many Wal-Mart shoppers may recall Miss Lottie's face from the 37 years she spent as an employee at the old Leggett's Department Store on North Main Street.

Goodman, a resident of Saddler Heights, is the widow of Howard Goodman, a farmer in Suffolk.

Along with Wiggs, many associates at Wal-Mart came to congratulate one of their favorite employees.

"Her daughter was married to my brother, and I just love them both to pieces," said Alice Bartlett. "They are the sweetest people and Miss Lottie is just a joy to be around."

Pam Pavlik said she's worked with Goodman for more than eight years, and while serving as assistant manager over the "people greeters," Pavlik learned a lot about Goodman.

"She did a wonderful job and she greets every customer with an energy and enthusiasm beyond her 85 years," said Pavlik. "I only hope for that kind of energy when I get to be her age. She's a wonderful personality, and I love her just as all the associates do."

Once all the congratulations were said, the associates gathered closer to the table where Miss Lottie stood with Wiggs in front of a huge birthday cake.

Together, they let loose with a rousing chorus of Happy Birthday that was probably heard at the nearby Lowe's store.

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