An older woman who retired after almost 74 years of retail work is receiving praise for her dedication and grit. Still, it’s what 90-year-old Melba Mebane of Tyler, Texas, told young people that adds to this inspirational story.

Mebane encouraged people to be faithful when asked what advice she had for those starting in the business. She told Fox News, “Come to work, never see it as a paycheck. Stay where God planted you,” advice Mebane seems to have followed throughout her 70 years of working in sales at Dillard’s.

Her career started in 1949 when she operated the elevator and extended through her official retirement in June. Mebane impacted many lives throughout the years, spending most of her time selling cosmetics. James Saenz, the manager of her Dillard’s branch, told Fox News that Mebane set the “tone for everything, every expectation, every customer service quality.”

He said, “She provides all of it to the team. Can you imagine how many people she coached and taught, and trained to aspire to be more? It’s just amazing to think of how many people’s lives she touched.” He called Mebane, a single mother who never missed work, far more than an employee, explaining she’s “amazing” and has offered guidance to so many over the years. Others agree. Drue Dillard Matheny, vice-president of Dillard’s, has long known Mebane and praised her for her good-heartedness and kindness.

“She is the happiest, most ‘up’ person — gives so much service to the community,” Metheny told KLTV-TV. “She’s made so many friends. I would come to watch her in cosmetics and just go, ‘I wish I could be like that,’ because she was incredible with people. Still is.” Mebane’s passion for her job and love of others was also noticeable to people outside the company. Manufacturers were so impressed with her passion for sales they would send her perfume bottles and samples, which she shared with others.

Her son, Terry Mebane, told Fox News his mom’s work ethic was impressive, and so was her generosity regarding those samples. He said, “Our pastor called her the cosmetic bootlegger because, on the way out of church, she would hand him samples as he was taking her hand and telling her to have a good day. She loved getting him ‘fixed up.’”

As for Melba Mebane, her advice is sound: God can use you wherever He places you. And judging from her life and the legacy she left behind, she lived out that belief to the fullest. Now, she plans to travel, rest, and enjoy her life.