Year 41 begins today for CT Bank banker Judy Freeman

Freeman marked 40 years to the day being with the bank since July 16, 1985

LAFOLLETTE, TN (WLAF)- For a person who is not one to seek the spotlight, Judy Freeman could not sidestep all the well deserved attention she received on Wednesday at the downtown offices of Community Trust Bank. She was celebrated on her 40th year at the bank.

Freeman is a unicorn of sorts. She graduated Campbell County High School in 1981, followed that by earning her degree at LMU in May of 1985, and then she had one job interview and started her banking career on July 16, 1985.

“I was interviewed by Fred Cain and Marvin Minton, the president and vice-president, respectively, of then First National Bank. A teller told me that she heard Mr. Cain say “I think we’re going to hire that little girl”, and he did,” said Freeman. It was the only place Freeman applied.

Freeman started as a teller, for about a year, then worked in the loan area, credit filing, then payment processing followed by doing loan reviews. She became the manager at the downtown office, moved to manage the Jacksboro office, and then she returned to La Follette; right at 20 years in management.

“I enjoy helping people. In fact, a precious couple was here this morning, and it just made for a really good day,” said Freeman.

Around 2010, Community Trust Bank bought First National Bank. “It took us quite a while to get used to saying Community Trust Bank after all those years of First National Bank.

“This is a great place to work and to work for. All the wonderful people I’ve worked with all these years have made it such a pleasure,” said Freeman.

Freeman can go about her business today without that spotlight, and that’s just fine with her as she begins her 41st year. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED-07/17/2025-6AM-PHOTOS COURTESY OF WLAF’S CHARLIE HUTSON)