Gore retires this week after 36-year banking career in Trenton

By Carrie A. Mizell

Elwanda Gore started her banking career as a teller at Farmers and Merchants Bank in Trenton. After 36 years, Gore will retire this week from Capital City Bank as vice president/market leader.
“I’ve worked my way all the way around to everything,” Gore said. “I started at the ground level and worked my way up to management.”
Her oldest daughter was a baby when Gore realized she wanted to go to work fulltime.
“I got dressed, went to town and started opening doors,” Gore recalls.
When she opened the door of Farmers and Merchants Bank, president Gene Osteen interviewed her for a position and hired her on the spot.
“Thank goodness someone gave an 18-year-old a chance,” Gore said.
Over the years, Gore said much has changed within the banking industry, nothing more drastic than the computer age. When she started, Gore recalls the bank utilizing old IBM computers to post transactions, whereas today’s computers and software are much advanced.
“It is a blessing and curse, how far we have come,” Gore said.
Overall, Gore said making a career at a local bank has been a real experience. While there have been highs, there have also been lows, but Gore said she would not change a thing.
“I am truly going to miss my Capital City Bank team,” Gore said.
Though she said she will not miss having to live by an alarm clock. Gore said she plans to spend time with her family, especially her grandchildren and also help her husband on the family’s farm and cattle operation.