By Shanda Gann
Neta’s Bar-B-Q opened in Minden during the Spring of 1955 by John Powell and his family. John named the restaurant after his wife, Neta Powell. John’s son, Mike, took over the business in 1976. Today, Steve Davis, who was an employee for many years, owns the restaurant. Neta’s is now one of the oldest and most respected businesses in Minden.
Timmie McEachern began working at Neta’s Bar-B-Q when he was just 11 years old. This year marks 53 years of service for him. It all started when Timmie’s brother, Glen, passed down his Grit Newspaper route to Timmie. Timmie sold each newspaper for 25 cents and was able to keep 7 cents of each sale. During this time, Glen had started working at Neta’s and asked Timmie if he wanted to start working there as a carhop. He made $13 per week when he first started his career.
When asked why he started working at such an early age, he said, “I came from a family of six kids and learned very early that you worked for what you wanted.”
Since then, he has worked every job available at the restaurant. From carhop to dishwasher, to taking orders, and now full time cook, Timmie is well established in all operations of the business except ownership.
“There are at least 4 of us, including the owner, that work at Neta’s with more than 20 years of service,” he said. “If anyone wants bar-b-q by experienced workers, then we are the people to see.”
When Timmie is not working at Neta’s, he enjoys fishing, hunting, writing poetry and writing gospel songs. He published a book of poetry in 2015 titled “Rhymes without Reason, A Collection of Poems, Inspired by God, Nature and the South.”
He has written gospel music that has been performed at his home church, City on a Hill Pentecostals, and also at Camp Meeting located in Tioga, La. Camp Meeting is a statewide gathering of believers for a week of worship, fellowship and the Word of God.
Another passion that Timmie continues to cultivate is photography.
“A friend and I take Sunday drives with my camera,” he said. “I enjoy taking pictures of old barns, cemeteries and other historical interests.”
He also spends time tracing his genealogy. With full time work and all these hobbies, Timmie is still going strong at 63 years old.
Timmie stated he does see retirement in his future, but will never fully give up his job. He may cut his hours back at some point, but enjoys working and plans to continue doing so as long as he is able.
To report an issue or typo with this article – CLICK HERE
