TULLAHOMA, Tenn. – Jimmie Bearden, the well-known and long-serving president of AEDC FCU, now known as Ascend FCU, has died.
Bearden, a pioneer of the credit union industry, began with the CU in 1956, just five years after it was created. She eventually was named CEO in 1968, where she served until retiring in 2004. During her career Bearden watched the CU grow from a one-room operation at Arnold Air Force Base to the largest FCU in Tennessee, with nearly 148,000 members.
AFCU now sponsors the $2,500 Jimmie Bearden Leadership Scholarship, which goes to a graduating Tullahoma High School student who exemplifies leadership in his or her school and community.
