October 20, 2015 - Family, friends, chamber abassadors, chamber board members, and community members gathered inside the walls of Bounds Insurance Agency to celebrate 50 years of success on Tuesday, October 20, 2015.
Buster Bounds and his wife, Carolyn, along with their children and grandchildren welcomed everyone, enjoying an opportunity to visit with all who stopped by to share in this momentous occasion.
Morris Bounds started the insurance agency in 1965 dividing his time between insurance and managing Lunsford Buick Company. Buster Bounds, Morris's son and third child of three children, took over running the insurance agency after marrying his wife Carolyn who he met while teaching at Ottawa Township High School in Illinois. The two made their home in Center and raised their two daughters Alison and Laura.
Shelby County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Pam Phelps reminisced over her years knowing Buster Bounds, "From Wheeler Street came Bounds Insurance. This capital investment on this corner (Austin Street and Nacogdoches Street) to preserve this building and remake this building was awesome at the time. And Buster and Carolyn, Alison, and Laura, what an incredible family. Buster with all his integrity is just amazing and one of the things I thought about this morning was would he honor his mother and father from the establishment and then I walk in here and I see a picture (of them) today."
"Buster served the Chamber of Commerce as president from 1976 to 77. Before and after those years, and that is only a milestone, he has continued to serve. No one on this earth except for maybe (his wife) Carolyn and I doubt she knows all the untold, unsung deeds this man has done and he has lead this company to a successful company. Zettie (Dean), Carolyn (Lamb) are another part of Bounds Insurance Agency," continued Phelps.
Phelps spoke about Bounds and his contributions to the community including always being a volunteer liability risk reduction person for the chamber. She described him as having a servants heart, being a humble man and a modest man. Phelps said, "Of course he has lead a lot of champion things throughout the community and continues to give to the community as has his whole family." In closing she said, "We are here to salute you and your family and say thank you and we appreciate all that you have done and continue to do." Phelps then presented Bounds with a plaque recognizing Bounds Insurance Agency and their 50 years.
Bounds spoke briefly saying thanks and giving recognition to Carolyn Lamb and Zettie Dean and now Alison Scull because if they hadn't been in the office taking care of business, he wouldn't have been able to go out and do what all he has done over the years.
