Hometown Rankin - April & May 2016

though we are not blood related, we are like family,” said Waymon.
His son Steve is working full-time as a pharmacist at Brandon
Discount Drugs. Steve decided to stay on as a pharmacist at the
drug store instead of being in an ownership position.
Despite the transition of ownership, Brandon Discount Drugs
is still Waymon’s store in the eyes of Ryan and Dawn. “He’s the
Walt Disney of pharmacy,” said Ryan. “He put forth how a
pharmacy should be run and has been so successful. To think
that we would change it in any way would be crazy. People ask
him, ‘What’s your secret? Why are you so successful?’
It’s because of Waymon and good service. He tells
folks that if you treat people right and work hard,
the success will come.”
“The center of Waymon’s attention has been on Brandon,
Rankin County, and his customers. He has made them first and
foremost of everything. That’s what totally encompassed the
store,” said Dawn. “We still want to maintain all of the same
values and ethics that he started 47 years ago.”
“It’s a seamless transition,” said Ryan. “What we do is not a
job for us–it’s a vocation. That’s what Waymon taught us. It’s
almost a ministry. We’re a part of the community and a part of
the healing process for these folks.”
“We’re passionate about our vocation,” said Dawn. “It was
instilled in me from Waymon and Ryan. Seeing how they
worked and how our customers loved them–I can’t see
myself doing anything else.”
Hometown Rankin • 79