Video: Vowell’s Grocery Store Saying Goodbye To Well-Known Workers

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STARKVILLE, MISS. (WCBI) — Instead of Bonnie and Clyde, Vowell’s Grocery Store has Wayne and Mary.
They are guilty of stealing their costumer’s hearts. For twenty-three years, Wayne and Mary have worked as the dynamic duo checking out customers and bagging their groceries. Today marks their last day at the store because they are retiring. Store manager, Max Stillman hates to see them go.

“Every morning when you come to work, you surround yourself with certain people and Mary and Wayne are two people that really makes you smile every day when you come to work. There’s not a bad day for either one of them.”

As customers walk through the sliding doors they always look for the two, says the store manager.

“When you run into little Wayne, he’s going to always give you a hug every morning. Mary is going to always smile and speak and that’s what makes it so fun working with both of them.”

Mary and Wayne have been riding to work together for their 6 a.m. shift for the past decade. Mary Odom says if she could choose a son it would be Wayne. After his mom died a few years ago, she grew even more close to him.

“He’s outgoing and he just loves everybody that comes in. He’s never met a stranger. We need more people like Wayne. If they say he has a disability, we all need a little of it.”

They refer to each other as best friends. Wayne Livingston has three words for Mary.

“I love her.”

The two of them enjoyed their last day of work even though customers haven’t handled the news so well. Customer, Wanda Box, came by the store not to get groceries, but to give her favorite “bagger” a farewell hug.

“Wayne is kind of an icon. He and Mrs. Mary both, so it’s going to be unusual not seeing them here in the store.”

Wayne’s first plan after retirement is to….

“Clean house.”