Making It Count – Mary Ann Thibodeaux Retires After 56 Years of Service

After more than five decades of loyal service, Mary Ann Thibodeaux — the longest-tenured employee at Wayne-Sanderson Farms upon her retirement — is hanging up her calculator and stepping into a well-earned retirement. Known for her sharp mind, kind heart, and steadfast dedication, Mary Ann has truly made her time with the company count.

Her journey began in early 1969 with Louisiana Hatchery and Dairy Fresh in Hammond, Louisiana, where she worked as a receptionist. “When I started working here, it was really convenient,” Mary Ann once shared. “We only had one vehicle at that time, and we lived about eight miles from the plant.”

What began as a convenient job quickly turned into a remarkable career. In 1974, when Sanderson Farms acquired Louisiana Hatchery and Dairy Fresh, Mary Ann transitioned to a role as a cost accountant. “When they offered me the job after they bought the company I was with, I was tickled,” she said. “I’m glad they kept me in mind when they offered me the job, and I’m hoping that my record stood behind that.”

Through the years, Mary Ann witnessed tremendous change within the company and the industry itself. From manual timecards to digital systems, and from a regional poultry business to a national company, she adapted with grace and a steadfast commitment to excellence. She also experienced the transition as Sanderson Farms and Wayne Farms merged to form Wayne-Sanderson Farms in 2022. “In every way you can think of, the company has improved and keeps improving,” she reflected.

Most recently serving as an accounts payable clerk, Mary Ann became a trusted resource for the team at Wayne-Sanderson Farm’s Hammond Complex, always ready to help coworkers with payroll questions or lend a listening ear. “I hope I made their life a little easier when they came to me with a problem,” she said.

Her legacy goes beyond numbers- it’s defined by the people she impacted. “When I first started at this plant, I already knew who Mary Ann was because she’s literally known me my whole life,” said Brandon Macloud, Operations Manager at Wayne-Sanderson Farms’ Hammond Complex. “She was working here with my mom when she was pregnant with me, so in many ways, Mary Ann has always been part of my journey. Her presence has been a constant, not just in payroll, but in the heart of this facility. Her knowledge, consistency, and care have supported generations of team members. Mary Ann is more than a coworker, she’s family. She’s the kind of person who makes a lasting impact just by doing things the right way, every day. Her legacy will live on long after her well-earned retirement.”

Mary Ann’s career is a shining example of the company’s core values: respect, integrity, stewardship, and excellence. In celebration of her retirement, the legacy she leaves behind is recognized- one built on dedication, resilience, and a genuine care for others.

Thank you, Mary Ann, for 56 incredible years.