Processor of the Month: Wezzie Jemison of Junior Barbour Seafood, Inc.

Wezzie Jemison is the office manager of Junior Barbour Seafood, Inc. in Bayou La Batre, Ala.

Name: Wezzie Jemison
Name of Business: Junior Barbour Seafood, Inc.
Business Address: P. O. Box 492, Bayou La Batre, 36509
Business Phone Number: 251-824-4512
Website: www.jandbseafood.com

Processes: Blue Crabs & Oysters

Where were you born and raised?
Born in Bayou La Batre and raised in San Souci (a community in Bayou La Batre that is a world of its own).

How did you come to live and work in Alabama’s seafood industry?
I was born and raised in the seafood industry. Started out shucking oysters as a teen, then moved on to crabs, and now I’m the manager.

What makes your company stand out within Alabama’s seafood industry?
Our character, integrity, and loyalty, and the high quality of our product. The seafood industry is hard work, but what it produces is the best tasting food this side of Heaven.

What’s the most unusual thing that’s ever happened to you on the job?
Being filmed for a documentary about the seafood industry.

If you didn’t work in the Alabama seafood industry, what line of work would you pursue?
As a youth, I wanted to be “Quincy, M.E.,” or a researcher. I worked as a data processing coordinator when computers were unheard of. I also worked for the USPS twice.

What are your favorite hobbies?
Crafting, shopping, genealogy, and daydreaming.

Do you own any pets?
Two loud-mouthed cockatiel birds, Baby and Butter.

What’s your favorite seafood dish to serve up for yourself and your family?
Boiled crabs with corn and potatoes, or anything else with crab in it.

Auburn or Alabama?
Auburn, because I love my daughter!

What makes Alabama Gulf Seafood special?
I know it’s fresh, it tastes great, and it’s just awesome! Alabama Seafood is better than fried chicken!