THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, January 11, 1995 TAG: 9501100103
SECTION: ISLE OF WIGHT CITIZEN PAGE: 03 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: Jody Snider
DATELINE: WINDSOR LENGTH: Medium: 64 lines
This year, Marsha Atwood is in tall cotton, literally.
She is the office manager of Commonwealth Gin, and every day she enters her office and sees the cotton waiting to be ginned. She can watch cotton tumbling from the gin as it is cleaned.
``It's very different,'' Atwood says. ``It's very challenging. I had never done anything with agriculture before - especially cotton.''
Atwood worked as a teller at the old Farmer's Bank in Windsor from 1977-85. Then she moved to Portsmouth, Ohio, when her husband relocated with his job as an officer with Norfolk Southern Corp.'s security police.
Four years later, they found themselves in Roanoke. And a year after that, he was sent back to Norfolk.
In 1991, after the two had returned to the Windsor area, Betty Alphin, part owner of the gin and also a former Farmer's Bank employee, asked Marsha Atwood to come to work as office manager.
Today, Atwood writes the contracts for farmers, settles up with them once the cotton has been bought and is responsible for seeing that all the paper work is done properly.
With this year's bumper crop, she says, the work has been overwhelming.
``It's been a real challenge, and all of us have worked lots of hours. We've been ginning since October.''
Name: Marsha Atwood.
What brought you to Isle of Wight? A desire to live in the country atmosphere.
Hometown: Portsmouth.
Birthdate: April 15, 1943.
Occupation: Office manager of Commonwealth Gin.
Marital status: Married to John for 33 years.
Children: John Jr., 33, and Brian, 24.
Favorite movies: ``Gone With the Wind'' and ``The President's Lady.''
Favorite magazine: Country Living and Guideposts.
A book you wish everyone would read: The Bible. It's a guide to everyday living.
Favorite night out on the town: Dinner and dancing.
Favorite bar or restaurant: Amory's in Chesapeake.
Favorite food and drink: Seafood - especially shrimp.
Few people know . . . that I love to dance and that I am a big sports fan.
What's the best thing about yourself? I really care about other people.
Worst habit: I'm never ready on time.
First thing in the morning: I head for the coffee pot.
Pets: A dachshund named Zack.
Hobbies: Reading and boating.
Ideal vacation: Relaxing on the beaches of west-coast Florida.
Pet peeve: People that don't accept responsibility.
First job: Office clerk at a building-materials store.
Worst job: None - each was a learning experience.
Of what achievements are you most proud? My two children and 33 years of marriage to John.
What would you like on your epitaph? ``She saw the beauty in life and enjoyed it.'' ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by JOHN H. SHEALLY II
by CNB