Clara Reffit during her early career.
By Lorrie Ross
Staff Writer
Anyone who has lived or worked in Clay County very long probably knows Clara Reffit. The dark-haired woman with the sparkling eyes and gentle smile has worked in local banking for almost five decades.
The lifelong Clay County resident has also been actively involved in several community organizations over the years.
On Friday, March 29, Reffit will retire from her full-time banking career, but not before having the chance to say thanks to her clients, co-workers and other members of the community.
Reffit started her banking career in 1977 at Northwestern Bank in Hayesville, while a senior at Hayesville High School. The part-time job through a business program led to full time work in the bank’s bookkeeping department once she graduated.
After First Union purchased Northwestern Bank, Reffit spent 12 years at various jobs within the bank. Those roles included teller, customer service representative, loan assistant, loan officer and assistant branch manager, followed by branch manager.
Then in 1990 she accepted a job with Carolina Community Bank, owned by United Community Bank. For 15 years, Reffit worked at United Community Bank’s Hayesville location. Sarah Suggs, of Nantahala Bank provided more information about Reffit’s time with UCB. “Clara was involved in building the main office and a supermarket branch in the local supermarket,” Suggs said. “She was branch coordinator for Hayesville, Murphy, Andrews and Robbinsville. She served as senior vice president and branch manager.”
Reffit joined the staff of Nantahala Bank and Trust Company in 2004, where she opened a loan production office for the newly formed bank. They opened Hayesville’s full-service branch in 2005 and a branch in Murphy in 2006.
In her 20 years with Nantahala Bank and Trust Company, Reffit has worked in several capacities. In July 2010, she was named president of Nantahala Bank and Trust Company. During her career she also graduated from the Stonier Graduate School of Banking.
“I have always felt banking was a calling because it provides the opportunity to help customers and businesses grow while serving our communities,” Reffit smiled. “My greatest joy comes from helping others, the customers and co-workers.”
The daughter of JoAnn Woody and the late Clarence Woody, Reffit grew up in Shooting Creek with three siblings, Vickie Benson, Debbie Patterson and the late Dennis Woody. Clara is married to Gary Reffit and the couple has four children: Joni Clement, John Taylor Baker, Hope and Robin Reffit. The Reffits also have nine grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
Along with her professional career, she has served many community organizations. The Chamber of Commerce, the board of Mountain Home Nursing, Clay County Health Advisory Board, Young Harris College Advisory and Baptist Children’s Home have all benefited from her involvement. She is a member of Hayesville First United Methodist Church where she has also been a pre-k Sunday School teacher.
A day-long retirement party will be held at the Hayesville branch of Nantahala Bank and Trust. Reffit wants to show her appreciation to her hometown and invites everyone in the community to stop by, whether they are bank customers or not. In addition, she would like anyone she has ever helped or who has a special memory to write a note to her. Cards will be available for signing at each Nantahala Bank and Trust branch until the day of the retirement party. Suggs said anyone unable to sign a card at the bank is welcome to mail one to the Hayesville branch. Reffit requested no gifts.
Reffit has been working in local banking for 47 years, but she said, “I am not going anywhere.” The Reffits will still live in Clay County and she will serve on the bank’s board of directors.
She added, “It has been my pleasure and privilege to serve the communities of Clay, Cherokee and Macon during my banking career.”
Nantahala Bank and Trust Company in Hayesville is at 102 Highway 64 East.