Debbie Hickey Anderson:
CLASS OF 1970
Madison High SchoolClass of 1970
Madison, TN
Neelys Bend Junior High SchoolClass of 1987
Madison, TN
Neelys Bend Elementary SchoolClass of 1963
Madison, TN
Debbie's Story
I retired in 2007 and moved into a villa at Lake Providence, a Del Webb community, in Mount Juliet, TN. Don't know how I ever had time to work when I'm so busy being retired. I worked by Nissan North America for 26 year. My occupation was Section Manager over new development of financial & supply chain computer systems for North America. I have two children and three grandsons. Love being with them. Life is good for me now.....
For the answer to the question about the wildest thing I ever did in school--I was never really wild. I did roll Denny McDonald's yard once.
I guess my hero is my mother. She has always been there for me and my siblings. Don't know what I would do without her.
I lived in Smyrna, TN for 35 years. Mostly due to it being in the close proximity to my work and not having my children bussed across town to school.
The one person from my past who I'd most like to see again is Becky Edison, because she was my best friend even though she went to Goodletsville High School..
My favorite college football team is UT and my favorite NFL team is the Tennessee Titans. UT has to be my favorite because my son is a UT graduate. He had major health issues and it took him seven years to get his degree. He would often tell me that lots of people take seven years to get their degree. My response to him was "Yes it does take lots of people seven years to graduate and they are called Doctors.....
I guess the biggest surprise in my life was my parents were smarter than I gave them credit for. Most of their advise has been been valid. I see myself saying the same statements to my children and grandchildren. It was unreal how much smarter they were after I finished my education. At times, it seemed like they had secretly gone to school as well.
My children have tried to teach me to chill out. Don't be so serious. Go to the grocery store without make-up or wear clothes that don't match.
I guess the teacher I would like to see again would be Mrs. Carr. Without her math classes, I would not have been as successful as I was.
If I won $100 million, I'd give 10% of it to the church (They would be so over whelmed that they would not know how to manage it.), then set up trust funds for my children and grandchildren, invest a portion in secure funds and travel. But I would not move from my current home. I feel safe and happy here..
I lived in a dorm at MTSU with Diane Hadley. Was never part of the greek scene.
To be truly happy, I would be setting on a beach in the Caribbean, drinking fufu drinks with a friend.
My current age is 58. When I was 12, I thought that people my age were over the hill. I was so completely wrong.... life does not really start until you retire and not have demands on your time..
My best friends would tell you I'm a free spirit and enjoy life to the fullest, but people who don't know me very well would probably describe me as a professional and a perfectionist.
No I don't dress the way I did 20 years ago... I dress more professional when I'm going out but wear jeans at home. The onl...Expand for more
y thing that I still wear are my Birkenstock sandals. I've worn them since I was at MTSU. They were known as my ugly shoes when the children were little. But when they became popular again.... they were asking me to buy them some ugly shoes. I still wear them. I recently bought a long white flowy skirt. It reminds me of a skirt I had in the early 70's. Enjoyed wearing it then and it brings back good memories from the past.
The weirdest job I every had was working at Zibert's Bookstore when I was in high school. Mrs. Zibert had one arm. It did open my eyes and made me an avid reader.
If I had one do-over, I would not have married my first husband when I did. I would have continued my education and got a MBA. I don't regret the marriage... I have two great children from it... just the timing.
In 10 years, I hope to be healthy. I'm going to get there by taking care of myself first..
My oldest friend is Anne Rinderer. She and I met when she was dating an employee of mine. When they broke up, she kept me. We have been through the good and the bad time in both our lives. We have been friends now for over 30+ years. I can tell her anything and she will not judge me or repeat our private conversations. If I could pick a family member, it would be her. I feel God brings people into your life and they become a family member by choice. That is Anne to me. I now have two sisters and I love them both.
My first job was at Firestone Tire and Rubber, where I got paid $750 a month to write computer programs. What I remember most about it was the day some co-workers sent me out to the green tire area..... I never found the green tires. When I went back to my office, I acted as if I knew exactly what they were talking about. Later, I found out green tire were tires that had not been cured. I was part of the computer start up team.
Four years later, I was on the start up team for Whirlpool Corp. They were building a new manufacturing facility in LaVergne, TN. I was employed there for 9 years. When Nissan Motor Manufacturing started hiring for their their start up activities, they gave me a call. At first I was not too keen on changing jobs but they made an offer that I could not refuse. Stayed their for 26 years. I have loved every job I have ever had. Work was my life... Now it is hard not to get up early... I never though I could retire. But since I have, I have learned what life is all about. My priorities are different and it has made me a much happier person.
The Madison High school building is no longer a high school. But every time I drive past the building, I see crowed hallways and students that lived a different life style then they do today. We were very fortunate to be a part of the 60's - 70's generation of students. Above I stated what my do-over would be. After writing this story, I think I have changed my mind. I would give every thing I have to go back to those simpler times at Madison High school. And to tell you the truth, I would not change one thing about that time in my life.
Go Rams!
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