Limestone County banking veteran Betty Christopher has been tapped to lead the Athens location of Trustmark bank, formerly Reliance Bank.

Christopher, who was the 13th person hired at the former Citizens Bank in 1978, will serve as Trustmark’s president. She has been a continuous presence at the bank, serving as the names changed from Citizens to AmSouth to Reliance and now Trustmark.

“Betty is an established community member of Limestone County, actively volunteering on so many levels, and she is a lifelong banker who has always given exceptional advice and service to her customers,” said Michael Hockman, executive vice president for Trustmark. “We are proud to have Betty as an integral part of the Trustmark team and thank her for her service to our customers and the Athens community.”

Christopher serves in various community organizations, including charter member and treasurer of the Birdie Thornton Civitan Club, treasurer of the Athens-Limestone Civitan Club, board member of the United Way of Athens-Limestone County, treasurer for the Hester Cemetery Board and ambassador for the Greater Limestone Chamber of Commerce. She has previously served on the boards for the American Heart Association, Athens-Limestone Public Library and Athens Little League Baseball.

She recently received the Business Woman of the Year Award for Athens and Limestone County during the inaugural EmpowHER Women in Business luncheon.

Chamber President Jennifer Williamson said Christopher was chosen based on the time she dedicated to her work and how she mentored others.

“She’s been in that same building for more than 39 years,” Williamson said. “She’s stayed in that location, serving that bank even though it changed throughout the years. She stayed committed to her profession.”

About Trustmark

Mississippi-based Trustmark completed its $23.7 million purchase of RB Bancorp — the parent company of Reliance — in April. Reliance customers will convert to Trustmark computer systems Saturday.

The move strengthens Trustmark’s position in Alabama by giving it offices in the Huntsville area for the first time. Trustmark has said the seven-branch bank, with $201 million in assets, will add to profits this year. With more than $13 billion in assets, Trustmark has offices in Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, Tennessee and Texas. It’s the ninth-largest bank in Alabama, with 1.5 percent of deposits after the Reliance acquisition.

Trustmark CEO Gerald Host previously said the bank was attracted to Huntsville’s rapid growth. For more information and for branch locations, click here.