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Wlaf1450Woodson’s Mall’s Becky Aiken celebrates her 20th year at the mall
LAFOLLETTE, TN (WLAF)- It was on this day, November 5, in 2005, when Becky Aiken had played enough golf and was ready to get back to work. That’s when she met Rob Woodson, and he hired her to join his businesses. “I was able to come onboard at Woodson’s Mall when Mr. Woodson, Rob’s dad, Ed Daugherty and Taylor Claiborne were still there, and I was glad to be able to work with them,” said Aiken. The trio, truly Woodson legends, worked well into their 80s.
“I have the highest respect for her. Becky built the mall back up,” said co-worker Dale Wright. Wright was actually a part of the mall before there was a mall. “I started in June 1978, and the mall opened in October of that year,” Wright added.
“Rob had been away from the mall for a while, and he literally brought the mall back to life,” said Aiken. He’s taught be so much and was willing to teach me. He’s one of the smartest business men I’ve ever met, Aiken noted. “He lives this business and loves it,” said Aiken.
“She never stops,” said Rob Woodson. Woodson and Aiken work well together and slowly but surely, from 2005 to 2009, turned the mall around. “Our small tenants, we call our mom and pop businesses, make all the difference and have helped us secure larger tenants,” said Aiken.
Aiken’s family moved from Campbell County for work in Ohio, and she was born there. They’d visit here often and eventually moved back. “This has always been home, and they came back in time for me to finish school here,” said the 1981 graduate of Campbell County High School.
“She manages the mall so well, and she’s treated me great. She’s so good with the tenants,” said Wright.
“Woodson’s has employed so many people over the years. They gave a lot of people their first job,” said Aiken.
After high school, Aiken found herself back in the Dayton, Ohio, area, and in the early 2000s, she and her husband and family moved back. “We built a home on the lake, and I love living on the lake,” said Aiken.
“Rob truly cares about the people who work for him and the tenants. If there’s a spill or something going on in one of the halls, Rob is out there helping,” said Aiken. “How well they, Rob and family, treat people is a testament to the Woodson family; all the props go to them,” said Aiken.
“Becky is dedicated, smart and has such a fantastic work ethic,” said Rob Woodson.
“I have felt like part of the family here. It’s been so much to me to have been here for 20 years, and I’m hoping for some more years. Rob’s always been there, and I have so much respect for him,” said Aiken. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED-11/05/2025-6AM)