Getzie Lamar

Berrien Springs High School

Class of 1994

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Getzie Lamar - Class of 1994 - Berrien Springs High School

First Name	Getzie
Last Name	Lamar
Graduation Year	Class of 1994
Gender	Female
Hometown	Berrien Springs, Michigan
Relationship Status	Married
About Me	From the time I was a little girl, I knew I was different. I knew I was destined for greatness. Hello, my friend. Thanks for wanting to learn more about me. My name is Getzie (pronounced like Betsy with a G). I was born in India and came to the US when I was only 5 years old. My parents, who were once prominent citizens in India decided to heed my Uncle's call to come live with him in the US. So they left their respected, lavish lifestyle and moved our family of four to Benton Harbor, MI, to live the American dream. I have vague memories of India, but I do remember our villa, my mother's maids, and a warm, happy life. We soon found out that life wasn't so peachy for immigrants here. My parents struggled their whole lives to accomplish their dreams. My mother wanted to be a nurse. My father was the ambitious entrepreneur. Neither one realized their dreams before they passed away in 2010 (yes, 7 months apart). My parents worked hard to support my baby sister and I, working menial jobs for little more than $3 and $4 per hour. How they provided basic necessities for us on such low income for all those years, I will never figure out. It was only by the grace of God. Our mother was a devout Christian woman, who insisted that my sister and I concentrate on school. So, we did and were always on Honor Roll and the Principal's List. Admittedly, I wasn't sure what I wanted to be while growing up. During my senior year in high school, I developed a passion for computer programming, so I decided to study computer engineering in college. After all, Indian kids are expected to be either doctors or engineers, so I figured I was on the right path. Because I received excellent grades in class and was teacher's pet most of the time, I was often pulled out of class to work on special art projects on behalf of the school. Even though art is something I am naturally gifted with, I started to hate art and decided that I would quit doing art as soon as I had any say and would never look back. But the talent never left me. In fact, it was my artist's eye that couldn't resist staring at the Marine recruiters' dress blue uniforms when I saw them at my high school one day. That's when I decided that one day I would become one of "The Few, The Proud, The Marines". I did attend a couple of years of college before making that decision for sure, however. While I was only a senior in high school, I became one of the youngest pharmacy techs at the hospital my parents worked at. I also worked at a local radio station and part-time as a clerical assistant at my college...all while attending school full-time. No wonder the military looked more promising to me as it dawned on me that I would never leave Berrien Springs, MI, if I settled with all these jobs I had at the time. So, I escaped to the United States Marine Corps in search of better to be able to help my parents and give back to them for all they had done for me. It was there that I met my future husband, Sergeant Lamar. Everyone loved Sgt. Lamar and I determined in my heart that I, too, would become Sgt. Lamar one day. :) It was an ambitious goal, but I started to go up before numerous boards and won almost all of them. Winning these boards helped me advance in rank very quickly. I remember hearing during boot camp that no one makes Sergeant before 5 years of service. Well, I was only planning on serving 4 years active duty then getting out, but not before I made E5. Needless to say, I accomplished my goal in less than 4 years. Funny thing, it worked out that my boyfriend at that time, Sgt Lamar and I got out of the service at the same time. Not wanting to move back to Michigan, I moved to Georgia with my beau. A month after we arrived in Georgia, we were engaged to be married. A year later, life drastically changed for both of us. Not only were we newly married, new home owners, and just had a baby, but my mother's health quickly declined and she was diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer. My husband insisted that we move my parents down so that I could take care of them. And I did. I had to give up on school, because not only did I have to take care of two aging parents, but two little girls, also. They were very difficult years as even our marriage suffered while my husband continued his military career in the Army National Guard and was away on deployments while I took care of home. A couple of years later, both of my parents were laid to rest. Since then, I realized I was entrepreneur-spirited like my father, but my husband believed in working for a living. I eventually left my job as a daycare worker that I had succumbed to during those years I was taking care of my parents and baby girls and found solace once again in pharmacy. This time I had the opportunity to get promoted to the highly sought after position of Purchasing & Inventory Control. Two great pharmacies allowed me to serve in this capacity until May 2011, when my husband insisted that I leave employment to pursue my passion as an entrepreneur full-time. Which brings us to today. Although I dislike the phrase, "stay-at-home mom", I am truly a full-time home based business owner, pursuing my passions in business, marketing, art, and web design. I feel that since my father didn't have the chance to realize his entrepreneurial dreams, I will accomplish them in his stead. My parents were great people who instilled some incredible values in both my sister and me. Values we pass on to our own children now. I am truly grateful for the roads I have travelled and where God has led me to through today. I feel that it is my divine purpose to share my story and all of the skills I have learned along life's journey to help others who dream of a better life and want more for their families. My story is not finished yet. One day I will write my autobiography. Until then, I am on the road to greatness. And I will see you at the top, my friend! Take ...(read more)