The United States Post Office has played a vital role in the development of Wrens and the surrounding communities. The local post office had its beginning on the stage coach route from Savannah to Wrightsboro and on to Atlanta. This route was first known as the King's Highway.
The Wrens Post Office has shown steady growth throughout the years. 1932 receipts listed $2,223.30 in stamps; $6,284.25 in 1942; $10770.43 in 1953 and $17,798.13 in 1962.
The Wrens facility has grown from a fourth class to a first class Post Office since its establishment back in 1880. At the close of 1980, the total was over $100,000.
The rural routes, along with city delivery route, operate out of Wrens office. Rural Route One was established on December 15, 1905, with Samuel C. Williams as the first carrier. Milo Howard, Sr. was appointed to the route in 1923 and served until his car accident death on July 4, 1950. Joseph R. Howard served a temporary appointed from July 5, 1950 to March 24, 1951, after having served as substitute for a number of years.
Leon Jackson Farmer Jr. was named carrier on March 21, 1951. Mr. Farmer retired on December 31, 1989, and his substitute, Reneas Davis, was appointed to the vacancy and is still serving the route. Mrs. Beasley of Avera is presently serving as substitute. On July 30, 1959, Mr. Farmer was awarded the Safe Driver Award by National Safety Council for having driven eight years without an accident.
Rural Route Two was established on that same date with Clarence S. Atkinson serving as first carrier. Wilbur W. Stone was named carrier in 1939, serving until his death on April 16, 1968. His wife, Mrs. Emily Wren Stone served until her retirement on December 27, 1968. She also served at this point during WWII while Mr. Stone was in the maritime service. Mr. Stone was also awarded the National Safety Award of 20 years without an accident on July 30, 1959.
Kimmel P. McTier, who had served as Clerk in the office from 1945, was appointed to fill the vacancy. McTier retired on October 2, 1979, after 37 years of postal service. His substitute, C. W. Stephens Jr., ran the route until Milo Howard Jr. was appointed to the vacancy on February 9, 1980. Mrs. Amanda Howard Rabun was named after Mr. Howard’s retirement.
Stephens had served as substitute for Matthews carrier, Joe R. (Coot) Oliphant Jr., as well as both Wrens routes before going full-time at the Avera Post Office. Stephens was awarded a 30-year Pin and Service Award, along with a 10 year Safe Driving Award prior to this retirement. During WWII, he served as Postal Clerk for 316th Signal Corps Company in South Pacific area.
The City Delivery Route was established in April 1978, with Eliza Jane Young Avera, a Clerk in the Wrens Office since 1969, being named as the first carrier in this newly establishment route. After serving years of service, Mrs. Avera resigned for health reasons. Roosevelt Anthony was appointed to the vacancy. His substitute was Larry Quencell. The present carrier is Jennifer Hollard.
Mrs. Hugh (Colleen) Fleming served as Clerk and substitute city carrier, coming to the Wrens office April 1, 1979. She was later assigned as Postmaster of the Avera office. Mrs. Weldon (Faye) McNair also served as Clerk beginning her duties on December 12, 1967.
Other career Clerks were Mrs. Jim (Susan) Milton, and Mrs. J. R. (Orelia) Oliphant Jr. both having 15 and 20 years with the postal service.
