A Smile, A Helping Hand and a Heart for God
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CITIZEN OF THE MONTH
Citizen of the Month: Tina Adcox has spent nearly 30 years serving the people of Morton
By Cheryl Owens
Mississippi Spirit
Spend just a few minutes talking with Tina Adcox, and you’ll quickly discover she has a heart for people.
Whether she’s helping someone buy their first home, start a new business or simply offering a smile on a difficult day, Tina believes helping others is what God called her to do. It’s a way of life that’s made her a familiar face in Morton for nearly 30 years.
While Polkville has been home for many years, Tina says Morton has always felt like home, too.
“I have lived in Polkville, Mississippi, for the past 30 years since marrying my high school sweetheart, Mark Adcox,” she said. “Together we have two wonderful sons, Zachary Edward Adcox and Marcus Dylan Adcox. We are members of Oak Grove Church of God, where we strive to surrender our lives to serving the Lord, Jesus Christ.
“I grew up in Scott County and attended Morton High School, Lake High School, and graduated from Raleigh High School in 1997. Although I’ve lived in Polkville for many years, Morton has always felt like home.”
Tina’s banking career began in July 1998 at Union Planters Bank in Forest. She later continued serving customers with The Citizens Bank of Philadelphia before joining BancorpSouth Bank as branch manager and loan officer in 2019.
In May 2021, she accepted what she believes was God’s direction for her life and joined Bank of Morton as assistant vice president. Today, she serves as vice president with Bank of Commerce.
Ask Tina what she’s most thankful for after all these years, and she won’t start talking about promotions or job titles.
“I have been blessed to build lasting relationships while helping individuals, families, and businesses reach their financial goals,” she said.
That’s one of the reasons she’s stayed in Morton all these years.
“I love the hometown atmosphere where you can go almost anywhere and see people you know and genuinely care about,” she said. “Whether it’s supporting a family during the loss of a loved one, helping first-time homebuyers achieve their dream, or assisting someone in starting a business they’ve always imagined, being part of those important moments is incredibly rewarding.
“Serving others is more than my profession—it’s my calling. I believe we’re here to help one another become the people God created us to be. I feel truly blessed that the Lord has allowed me to serve this community by providing guidance, encouragement, and financial solutions that people both need and deserve.”
For Tina, helping people isn’t just about numbers on a piece of paper.
She enjoys helping people through stressful times and letting them know there is hope.
“Finances can often be stressful, but I love helping people find solutions and giving them confidence that things can get better,” she said. “If I can make someone’s day a little less overwhelming, then I’ve done my job.”
Helping people doesn’t stop when Tina leaves the bank each day.
She is a certified instructor with the Mississippi Community Financial Access Coalition, where she teaches financial education and helps individuals and families reduce debt, build savings, establish or rebuild credit and learn smart money management skills.
“It’s rewarding to watch people gain confidence and realize that even if they’ve faced financial setbacks, they can still achieve their dreams with the right knowledge and support,” she said.
She has also been a member of the Morton Lions Club for the past five years, another way she enjoys giving back to the community.
Tina has watched Morton grow over the years, but she says what makes the town special hasn’t changed.
“Morton has experienced tremendous growth over the years,” she said. “Compared to when I first started working here, we’ve seen more restaurants, retail stores, and service businesses that make Morton a welcoming place to live and visit.”
She also pointed to new neighborhoods, homes, and churches that have been built, along with improvements to streets, utilities, parks and other community services. Roosevelt State Park continues to be a favorite destination, especially after its renovations, she added.
“But what makes Morton special hasn’t changed,” she said. “Friday night football, strong local businesses, generations of families who call this town home, and churches that continue to be the heart of the community are what make Morton such a wonderful place.”
When the workday is over, you’ll probably find Tina spending time with her husband on their farm.
“I enjoy spending time with my husband on our farm, where he is becoming a producer of vegetables and Smith County watermelons,” she said. “This year was challenging because of the heavy rainfall, but we’re not giving up. We believe locally grown food is important for the future, and we’re excited to continue growing fresh produce and hopefully expand into other products in the years ahead.”
She says spending time with her family is what she enjoys most.
When asked who has inspired her the most through the years, Tina’s answer came quickly.
“Without question, God has been my greatest source of inspiration,” she said. “He has walked beside me through every season of my life. Without Him, I am nothing. I am grateful to be a follower of Jesus Christ, and His love, guidance, and faithfulness have shaped me into the person I am today.”
Tina also has a few words of advice for anyone just beginning their career.
“When I first started banking, my goal was simple—to make someone smile before they left my teller window,” she said. “Many days I succeeded, and some days I didn’t, but I never stopped trying.”
She encourages others to remember that they’re here to serve people. She says not every difficult situation is about you, so develop thick skin, keep smiling even when someone else is having a hard day and don’t carry those burdens home with you. She also believes it’s important to take time each day to reflect, look for ways to do better tomorrow and never stop growing.
“Most importantly, let kindness and your faith guide everything you do,” she said.
If you ask Tina what she hopes people remember about her, the answer isn’t about banking.
“I hope people remember my smile and that I helped them accomplish their goals, whether they were big or small. More than anything, I hope they remember me as a woman of faith who genuinely loved people and cared about making a positive difference in their lives.”
Her children like to tease her that she’s “a true banker” because banking is all she talks about.
“They’re probably right,” she said with a laugh. “I truly love what I do, and I consider it a blessing to help people every day.”
Before ending the interview, Tina shared what community means to her.
“When there’s an event or a need, don’t wait for someone else to step in. Ask, ‘What can I do to help?’ We need more leaders who are willing to serve with willing hearts. Love people, help people, and make a difference wherever you can. That’s what community is all about.”
After talking with Tina Adcox, it’s easy to see that those aren’t just words she believes—they’re words she lives by every day.
