Saying Goodbye to Two of Tybee’s Finest:
Clint and Debra Troop
By Jennifer Adams
Well, I have to start off by saying that writing this is very difficult for me. Don’t get me wrong, I am very happy for Clint and Debra’s new adventure, but
selfishly I really didn’t want them to leave. At Tybee Time and Doc’s we are a very close family, so when we lose someone it is extremely hard to say
goodbye.
Clint moved to Savannah in 2007 and Debra followed. They lived on Whitemarsh Island when they first got here and then moved to Tybee Island in 2008.
As we all know, Debra worked at Tybee Time since 2013. She told me she will always be grateful to Steve and Bethany Kellam for giving her a chance at
bartending, especially since at that time she had no experience, and to Jenny Rountree for talking them into it. These two fit right in on Tybee.
I asked them what some of their favorite memories of Tybee are. It was the same for both of them and that is the PEOPLE hands down. As we all know,
Tybee Island is One Big Family! Other favorite memories are Hurricane Matthew, not the storm, but the people they stayed with, and how everyone came
together before, during and after the storm.
Clint will definitely miss his brother, Steve Smith, and his sister, Marsha Williamson, with whom he has so many amazing memories, too many to list (I
personally know Clint and Steve will miss their Lemon Drops together). With Marsha it’s their tequila moments, especially dinners at Agave with Luis Galvan,
while the Fabulous Four were together.
That leads me to some of Debra’s girls: “The Sisterhood,” which consisted of Debra, Ann Currington, Teresa “T-love,” Sandi Henry, Jessica Lamb, Ginger
Adams, Jan Meyer and the late Jill Haynie (who is missed very much). Tybee had to watch out when these ladies were on the loose. Debra’s other group
of ladies was the “Fabulous Four,” consisting of Debra, Connie Buckley, Ann Currington and Pam Smith. These amazing ladies got together at least once a
month for a ride on the golf cart, then on to dinner, drinks and dancing. They were on the loose right up to when Debra moved. I’m sure this group will be
out on the prowl as soon as Debra comes back for a visit.
Another funny moment that I still laugh about today was on Clint and Debra’s wedding day last year. Clint and Steve Smith were out on the beach waiting
for Debra to come down the walkway (which was delayed due to a forgotten wedding ring at Marsha’s house). As they were waiting, some tourists walked
by and said congratulations to Clint and Steve, thinking they were getting married - the look on their faces was priceless.
Debra wanted to make sure I gave a BIG SHOUT OUT to her favorite co-worker, Jamy Shearouse Monroe, who she loves, misses, will never forget their
Saturdays together and will never find or love another friend like you. To Ann Currington - she will not only miss the shopping trips, lunches and doctor’s
appointments, but mainly will miss just spending time with you. In her heart is where you will always be close.
Now to the 14th Street Crew… both Clint and Debra will always remember their awesome neighbors, but a special ‘I love you’ goes to Ron and Leigh
Goralczyk for being the best next door neighbors ever (and even Joey, especially when he fell asleep on the wrong porch in his underwear). To Steve and
Mary Ann Smith - we love you and there are just too many great memories to name them all. To Debra’s Ricky (it’s a thing between them) and Jennifer
Adams - we love you and wish you had moved to 14th Street sooner (me too).
Now it’s my turn! Debra, you will never understand what joy you have given me and the love that I have for you both. It truly will never be the same around
here without you. Clint, you are a true friend and a very sweet man. Thank you for loving my daughter Olivia. I was honored that you said that if you had
ever had children, you would have wanted a daughter like her.
One thing that I know for sure is that goodbyes are hard, but something tells me that these two will be back for a lot of visits. If you have time during Pirate
Fest this year, go by Tybee Time Friday and Saturday, Debra will be back working that weekend, so go grab a drink from her.
I know that I speak for everyone when I say you two left a lasting mark on Tybee Island and Tybee Island loves you for it.
32 TYBEE BEACHCOMBER | OCT 2019