My Dad and His FedEx Legacy

Happy Birthday, Dad! … But even more so, Happy Retirement!

My dad, Terry Mayberry , has worked at 联邦快递 my whole life. When my brothers and I were little, he told us he worked for Santa. I believed him, of course. Other kids dreamed of being astronauts or firefighters—I wanted to work for Santa.

?And now? Well… I do. So do both of my brothers James (JW) Mayberry and Jordan Mayberry . We’re a FedEx family through and through.

?But when I first started at FedEx, I had a bit of an identity crisis. I wasn’t Bethany Mayberry—I was Terry’s daughter. People knew him long before they knew me. I was so eager to make my own mark that I jumped at the chance to change my name when I got married and work in a different area. I wanted to build my own reputation.

Then one day, reality knocked me down a peg. I’d been trying (and failing) to get a meeting with an executive. No matter how hard I tried, I just couldn’t get my foot in the door. So, in defeat, I did what any resourceful person would do—I called my dad.

Five minutes later, I had an apologetic email in my inbox... “Bethany, I’m so sorry. I had no idea you were Terry’s daughter…”

In that 1:1, the executive spent most of the meeting talking about how incredible my dad was. He said he had done some digging on me and heard I was a ‘chip off the old block’. And in that moment, I wasn’t just proud—I understood something deeply valuable.

Sometimes, the most powerful inheritance isn’t generational wealth. It’s a generational reputation. A name built on integrity, hard work, and relationships. My dad’s legacy wasn’t just in the work he did—it was in the way he carried himself, the way he treated people, and the respect he earned over decades. That’s something you can’t put a price on. And that’s something I hope to pass down, too. I’m so proud to carry the Mayberry name… Even if it’s just my middle name now.

Today, my dad walked out of FedEx for the last time. As I walked the halls with him, watching him say goodbye to people who’ve known him since I was a baby, I saw just how much he meant to this place. I’ve seen people leave before, but I’ve never seen a send-off like this. Grown men and women got choked up. Because my dad didn’t just work at FedEx—he lived it.

His presence will still be felt. In my older brother’s face. In my little brother’s dad jokes. In my inability to keep my hands still when I talk. In the teams who were lucky enough to work alongside him.

He left FedEx better than he found it.

Dad, your next role as a stay-at-home grandpa might not come with a 401(k) or annual bonuses, but something tells me it’s going to be your best job yet.

Hang your hat. Thank you for your service - to FedEx and to our nation. Enjoy life.

And don’t worry— JW, Jordan, and I will make sure Santa still delivers on time. ??

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#Retirement #Legacy #FedExFamily #TeamFedEx #StayAtHomeGrandpa #ProudDaughter