now known as the Pickens County Administration Building
07/24/10 “What’s in a Building” written by Daryl Ray
Good question. To many of you, especially those who live in Pickens County, Georgia, this is just one of the County Government buildings. But, it’s much more to me. This use to be the local hospital. Pickens General Hospital, to be specific. It is a large part of my history. In this hospital I had three of my first jobs. I was the DWC, (dishwashing coordinator), an orderly, and an Emergency Medical Technician. Many weekends I did all three jobs, not at the same time though. I later became an LPN there, working two days on day shift, two on evening, and one night shift, just to get full time. I later jumped ship to Canton, where I am today.
I spent a night or two here as a teenager when I passed out for some unknown reason. I thought it might have been from the brain damage of my brothers and sisters beatings. Turned out to be low blood sugar. A couple of years later, I had a return visit when I decided to make a convertible out of the Pontiac Tempest my brother had spent all summer rebuilding. Thank goodness he was in Ashville at the time. Oh, and thank you, Aunt Myrna for the goodie bag you brought me.
My brother, Doug broke his leg one night at Boy Scouts. My brother Larry, (Yes, Larry, Daryl…you know the rest) rushed him to the E.R. here, only to have his Gran Torino stolen by an escaped prisoner. The car was never the same after that. A few years later, Mama sat vigil with Daddy in the hospital following his gall bladder surgery. Somebody broke into Daddy’s brand new truck in the parking lot and kindly removed the radio. He never replaced it. I always hated driving without music. I guess ’cause I had to listen to myself sing.
This is the building where both my grandmothers, and countless other relatives went on to be with their Lord. I believe it was in Rm 235 where I watched my dad take his last breath. In the front drive, where you see the asphalt in my picture, I watched the cold-blooded murder of my cousin in broad daylight. I was sixteen at the time. I witnessed much pain & sorrow in the few years I worked there.
On the other hand, I saw much happiness. I witnessed my first birth there, a beautiful site to see, once. This is the building where I met many of my early influences, some which are my FB friends now. Working the various jobs and shifts, there were many weekends & holidays away from the family. But we all had a job to do, and I believe we did it well. We had each other for support, during the good times, and the bad. Yes, many of my early mentors have passed, but I hope they know they touched my soul. D-Ray
Thank You Daryl, for your wonderful story!
Isn’t it great to hear stories of Pickens County from others who live here or who have lived here? If you have a great story to tell, please send an email to beth@jasperpickenscountyga.com and we’ll get your story posted!
