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JACKSBORO, TN (WLAF)- It was quite the banking career for Regina Blankenship of Community Trust Bank. And it was only fitting that there was a day of celebration on Friday in her honor at the Jacksboro offices of CT Bank. It was her last day on the job at the branch she managed for years.
“I’m gonna miss my girls, and believe it or not, I think they’re going to miss me,” said Blankenship when asked about retiring.
Marvin Minton hired Blankenship in 1986. “Someone asked him if that was his biggest mistake, and he said no. Adding that he’d also hired Rhonda (Longmire),” said Blankenship. In fact, it was upon Minton’s suggestion that Blankenship join Longmire in her department. Longmire was reluctant to have her join the loan department and eventually brought her into the department though the pair grew to become inseparable.
“She and I worked together for almost 40 years, the longest I’ve worked with anybody. If I’ve done anything, it’s always been her with me,” said Rhonda Longmire, Market President for Community Trust Bank.
“It’s a tough void to fill. She’s been here a long time, and she’s hard to replace; her personality, customers love her, and you can see that by the turnout today. It’s hard to find someone with her kind of work ethic. She’s awesome. I can’t say enough good about her. She’s smart and beautiful on top of that,” said Longmire.
“I’ve really enjoyed this. I’ve met a lot of good people and made friendships that I hope will last for a long, long time,” said Blankenship.
“It’s going to be different for me, but I’m going to work some part time,” added Blankenship.
“My husband David is retired, and I’m gonna have a list; a lot for him to do,” said Blankenship.
It was easy for Blankenship to recall the one memory that stands out after all these years, the bank robbery at the Jellico bank where she worked. “That bank had been robbed every year for three years, and the third year (circa 1998), I tracked him (the robber) on foot, in my high heels and suit. I ran into the police officers. I told them the robber had jumped behind this fence and changed his clothes and ran up a hill,” said Blankenship. Police were able to follow Blankenship’s account of the events and caught the robber.
“The police officer told me that they would not have caught him if I had not followed the robber. He was headed to the state line trying to cross into Kentucky,” said Blankenship.
A steady stream of well wishers came through the bank on Friday to visit with Blankenship. It was quite the turnout.
“My co-workers have been good to me. The bank’s been good to me. But I’ll be around. I’ll bake some cupcakes and stop by the bank on occasion,” said Blankenship. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED-08/03/2026-6AM-PHOTOS COURTESY OF WLAF’S CHARLIE HUTSON)