As the holidays light up Middle Tennessee, the team at Simmons Bank’s White House branch is celebrating the season with cozy drinks, heartfelt traditions, and plenty of community spirit. We sat down with several familiar faces at the branch to learn more about their festive favorites, their holiday memories, and what they’re grateful for as the year wraps up.

Kate Key, Financial Center Manager

If you’re looking for the queen of apple cider, you’ve found her. Kate is team apple cider through and through, and she credits The Fellowship Coffee House with “ruining her for all other ciders” thanks to their rich, perfectly spiced recipe.

An early shopper—and proud of it—Kate loves finding meaningful gifts ahead of the rush. For her, stockings hold a special holiday magic. She spends the season tucking away tiny treasures she discovers in local shops, saving them for Christmas morning. Watching someone light up over a small, thoughtfully chosen item never gets old.

And if Simmons Bank ever hosts an ugly sweater contest? Kate says Katie would win “easily,” thanks to her crafting talent and ability to make even an “ugly” sweater beautiful.

Nevaeh Kimble, Relationship Banker

For Nevaeh, nothing beats a classic hot chocolate—the richer, the better. One of her happiest holiday memories is decorating the house with her family while dancing to Christmas music, a tradition that still warms her heart.

She’s an early shopper, too, and loves local events—especially the Fairview Christmas Parade, which always brings festive cheer. If she had to sum up her holiday vibe in a few words? Cozy, Joyful, Family.

Candy Hilgadiack, Relationship Banker

Candy’s signature drink? A seasonal favorite: peppermint hot chocolate.

She laughs, admitting she’s “usually the last-minute type of shopper,” but this year she surprised herself by starting early—and loving the stress-free change of pace! Her holiday vibe is “cozy, chaotic, and blessed,” which just might be the most relatable trio of words in December.

Candy also places her vote for Katie as the most likely to win an ugly sweater contest—especially since she suspects Katie might even have a vintage sweater from her grandmother that would steal the show.

Katie Steele (The Crafting Queen Herself!), Sr. Relationship Banker

Katie’s favorite holiday movie is "The Santa Clause", a timeless classic she never gets tired of watching.

She loves small acts of kindness, especially filling Samaritan’s Purse shoeboxes, a simple tradition that makes a global impact.

This year, her gratitude runs deep. Katie, her husband, and her mother-in-law traveled on a mission trip to Honduras to visit the Good Shepherd Children’s Home. Experiencing the children’s challenges and resilience reminded her just how much there is to be thankful for—and how meaningful it is to give.

Shaina, Sr. Relationship Banker

For Shaina, hot chocolate is practically an art form: half water, half milk, topped with marshmallows, and best enjoyed when the weather chills.

Her favorite family tradition is choosing a real Christmas tree from Big Sky Tree Farm right after Thanksgiving—a moment she looks forward to every year.

She loves getting her shopping done early and can’t resist locally made holiday treats, especially hot cocoa bombs from L & M Bakery.

When asked what she’s grateful for this year, she couldn’t pick just one thing: “I’m honestly thankful for everything in my life.”

From hot cocoa bombs to mission trips, apple cider obsessions to parade nights, the Simmons Bank White House team embodies the spirit of community, gratitude, and connection that makes this area so special.

Their smiles, service, and holiday cheer brighten the bank—and the community they love to serve—all season long.