By Sarah Gee
©Voice, April 2007

Sharon Brandon

Following the departure of Sharon Brandon on March 31, 2007, the Tennessee Walking Horse Breeders’ and Exhibitors’ Association will never be the same. Employed by TWHBEA^SM since 1962, Mrs. Brandon was elected to the position of Secretary/Treasurer in 1966. She was only the third person to be elected to that position since the Association’s founding in 1935.

For many, Sharon Brandon is the face of TWHBEA^SM. As signatory on all registration papers for the past 41 years, her’s is the one name that every Tennessee Walking Horse owner knows.

For 44 years, Mrs. Brandon has devoted herself to protecting and maintaining the integrity of the breed registry. A woman of tremendous heart and dedication, the Tennessee Walking Horse industry has truly been blessed to have benefited from the knowledge, leadership, integrity, commitment, and grace of Sharon Brandon.

As she prepares to lock the doors and set the alarms for the last time at TWHBEA^SM headquarters, we’d like to acknowledge and thank her for everything she’s done to ensure the prosperity of the World’s Greatest Show and Pleasure Horse. With that in mind, we have asked those that have worked with her over the years to express their thoughts on her service to TWHBEA^SM:

The TWHBEA^SM Registry cica 1978 - (Back L to R) Nancy Hardison, Suzanne Porter, Annette Rodgers, & Donna Gillespie; (Front L to R) the late Nora Burgett, Gloria Rambo, Sharon Brandon, & Marilyn Walker.

“For so many years, year in and year out, Mrs. Brandon has been the face and voice of this Association to both our members and to the public in general. When one thinks of the TWHBEA^SM, no one comes to mind more than Sharon Brandon. Her commitment to the Association has provided stability and comfort to our members, which has enabled the Association to grow and prosper over the years. She has been a faithful guardian of our accounts, books and records, and the registry; the heart and soul of this Association and our breed. I personally want to thank her for the many years of uncompromising service and dedication to the Association. There is no way that we can adequately thank you for the many accomplishments and efforts that you have made, so I simply say thank you and encourage each of us as members to say thank you as we have the opportunity.”

-Jerrold Don Pedigo
TWHBEA^SM President, 2004-

“Sharon Brandon – A very conscientious, dedicated employee that treated people correctly and was a voice from the membership and the association while promoting the Tennessee Walking Horse and safeguarding our registry and its employees. She is and was a friend you can always talk to.”

With sincere and deepest appreciation for her service,

-Carroll Benedict
TWHBEA^SM President, 1994-1995

“I’ve had the honor of serving on several boards and I don’t think I’ve ever been around anyone who is a more complete professional or who has a stronger commitment to the association which she serves.

Sharon was a pleasure for me to work with and certainly enabled me to not put in as much time as President as I might have. She’s been a wonderful blessing to the TWHBEA^SM.”

-Bob Parks
TWHBEA^SM President, 1993-1994

“To put into words what Sharon Brandon has meant to TWHBEA^SM and all of the people that worked with her would be impossible to do. Mrs. Brandon has served and supported all of the executive committees with her total commitment. As one of the past Presidents, I can tell you she will be missed. Her support and friendship was very important to me.”

-Charles Gleghorn
TWHBEA^SM President, 1989-1991

“During my many years doing business with and for the Tennessee Walking Horse Breeder’ and Exhibitors’, Sharon Brandon has been a wonderful person to know and work with.

Through all the years of turmoil, ups and downs, Sharon Brandon has been the solid individual who provided the skills and leadership to see that the mission of the registry was carried out with perfection and grace.
We at Harlinsdale Farm will feel a personal loss when will no longer do business with Sharon Brandon. Someone may take her place but they will never replace her.”

-W.W. Harlin, Jr.
TWHBEA^SM President, 1984-1986 & 1992-1993

“Sharon Brandon is undoubtedly the most efficient and professional person that I have ever worked with. Her integrity and ethics are above reproach. Sharon’s organizational and leadership skills are unparalleled and she tends to bring out the best in all those around her.

Sharon’s efforts on behalf of the TWHBEA^SM and the walking horse industry have been above and beyond the call of duty. She will never be replaced!

My service on the Executive Committee and my term as President are among my treasured memories. Sharon was always there with the right information at the right time. Plus she made the job FUN!

I consider Sharon a dear friend, as did my father, the late C.A. Bobo, who served as President in 1974. I sincerely hope that the future will bring much happiness to her and the Bandon family.”

-Charles E. Bobo
TWHBEA^SM President, 1983-1984

With fellow breed legends and friends S.W. Beech & Buddy Payne.

“I’m honored to have the opportunity to make a few comments about Sharon Brandon. As the years have passed I have retired and moved on to other facets of my life, and some things seem a bit far in the past. However, lots of associates and friends remain so very near and dear to my heart, and Sharon is at the top of the list.

I knew Sharon as a friend so many years before we worked together that the two sometimes run together. As a friend I knew her as a wonderful Christian wife, mother, and loyal friend to all who knew her. She was one of those few people I have known that I lovingly and respectfully call ‘old timey,’ which is the greatest compliment I know how to give anyone. It simply means that you do what you say you will do when you say you will do it. It may seem a little old fashioned, but it still means everything to me, and Sharon personified that.

As many years passed, and after I had served on the Board more years than I care to remember Sharon and I became coworkers. During those few short years changes were coming at a pace that was almost overwhelming at times. There were so many of the old things we wanted to keep, yet there was so much change we had to make that it was very difficult at times to mesh the two, and there were times of honest disagreement. However, I think all of us knew we had to get along to prevail and do what we had to do. After all the years and changes I don’t think a single one of us ever had an unkind thought about one another and that was the true foundation for what the TWHBEA^SM has become. I am thankful to have been a part of it.

Finally, just the other day I was thinking about the person who will be replacing Sharon, and what advice I might give them. After a few moments I decided that advice would be, ‘Come to work early, stay late, work every weekend, and pray that you can do just half the work Sharon accomplished, and in a manner just half as professional.’”

-P.H. “Buddy” Payne, Jr.
TWHBEA^SM President, 1982-1983
TWHBEA^SM Executive Director, 1986-1990

“Anyone who holds a job for 41 years and has worked with so many bosses has to be a super person!

Sharon certainly was a pleasure to work with during my time as President and while I was on the Executive Board. She always had time and patience to listen and discuss whatever was needed to reach a decision. Occasionally she would tell me, ‘We can’t do that according to our by-laws.’ She definitely stayed on top of the Association’s business.

She has been an asset to our organization in many ways. She will be greatly missed by her co-workers and the membership she dealt with daily.

Sharon we thank you for contributing 41 years of your life to our great breed. You have crossed paths with some of the best people and horses that this life can offer. Cherish those memories as we cherish those of you.

My wish for you is health and happiness and a good vacation with no problems to solve!”

-J.T. Nelms
TWHBEA^SM President, 1979-1980

“The first thing I think of when I think of Sharon Brandon is her beautiful smile. Her demeanor is always that of a genteel southern lady. As presidents and executive directors have come and gone, she has been the one constant at TWHBEA^SM throughout the years, she is the TWHBEA^SM Bureau of Information. Trying to replace Sharon Brandon will be like Alabama trying to replace Bear Bryant.”

-Jamie ‘Red’ Etheredge
TWHBEA^SM President, 1975-1976

“A consummate professional, that’s how I would describe Sharon Brandon. Her loyalty and commitment to TWHBEA^SM is unequaled. A fount of knowledge and experience, she will be very hard to replace.”

-Charles Hulsey
TWHBEA^SM Executive Director, 2003-2006

In 2002, TWHBEA^SM Executive Director Bob Cherry was proud to present Sharon with gifts commemorating her 40th year with the TWHBEA.

“When I think of TWHBEA^SM, I think of Sharon Brandon; when I think of Sharon Brandon, I think of TWHBEA^SM. Many times during years I work with Sharon I would say to her, ‘I don’t know what I would do without you.’

Her reply was always the same, ‘Everybody can be replaced.’ I would always agree. But now that she has decided to leave her post after almost 45 years on the job, I’m not so sure I agree anymore. Replacing Sharon Brandon at TWHBEA^SM…I don’t even like to think about how difficult that is going to be.

Professionally, she is the most loyal, dedicated, productive person I have ever worked with in my life. Personally, she has a heart larger that life…sometimes to a fault. Even though Sharon has had very little personal involvement with the horse and the business itself (owning, breeding, showing), in my 50+ years of personal involvement I have never met a person who cared more about the breed and business. Never. And, I never expect to. Thank you Sharon, thank you very much.”

-Bob Cherry
TWHBEA^SM Executive Director, 1991-2002

The 2006 TWHBEA^SM Executive Board.

“As I walked through the doors of TWHBEA^SM for an interview with Tom Fulton, Ex-Director, the employees were so friendly and made me feel so welcome, I knew immediately that this was it, this was where I belonged. One of those friendly employees was Sharon Brandon. Sharon and I started working closely together and right away we found that we shared some of the same interests – Politics and Horses, Horses, Horses.

I have so many memories that we shared. We worked hard, we played hard, we laughed a lot, and, yes, we even shed a few tears.

Sharon has been a loyal and devoted co-worker and a very good friend for 42 years and it seems like only yesterday that I walked through those doors. Looking back on the happy times we shared and how our friendship has grown, I’m proud to call her a SPECIAL FRIEND.”

-Gloria Rambo
TWHBEA^SM Receptionist, 1964-

“Mrs. Brandon was the person who employed me in June 1966. She has been very patient and helpful explaining the procedures and my duties with the Association. Sharon has been a very loyal and dedicated employee for all the years I have worked with her. I would prefer she reconsider her decision but I also respect her decision and wish her the very best in her future endeavors.”

-Annette Rodgers
TWHBEA^SM Registry, 1966-

“I have worked with Sharon for over 35 years and she is not only great to work for but a friend as well. I was only 17 when I came to work for the Association and I have grown up here with Sharon as someone to look up to. Early on she nicknamed me Frick and to this day she still calls me that most of the time. She is an asset to the Association and is loyal and dedicated to her job. She is irreplaceable due to her great knowledge and experience. She will be missed greatly.”

-Marilyn Walker
TWHBEA^SM Registry, 1971-

“Sharon and I go back so many years, even beyond my years working with her. We went to High School together and we were close friends even then. I worked for a different organization for five years right out of high school and then decided to take some time off when my children were little. When my youngest went to kindergarten I was ready to go back to work, that was 1972. I called Sharon and asked her if she had a place for me. I think she kind of made one. As I said, our friendship went back a long way so I always felt very comfortable with Sharon as my boss.

She is a terrific person and a wonderful friend. My years of working with her at TWHBEA^SM were great. We always got along because we were such close friends. I consider her one of the finest people I have ever known. I’m sure our relationship will go on for many more years. I hope we might enjoy some free relaxing time in the future. Good luck Sharon, enjoy your time off like I’m enjoying mine.”

-Donna Gillespie
TWHBEA^SM Registry, 1972-2006