The Ledger

By Becky Holland

There’s something special about a first job—the nerves, the excitement, and that first paycheck that somehow meant everything.

We asked our readers to share their first job memories here in Cochran and Bleckley County, and the responses were full of hard work, laughter, and even a little love story or two.

Here’s what some of you had to say:

Davidson’s Dry Goods holds special memories for Leanna Noah, who worked there in the 1960s through its closing. Summers and holidays were spent under the guidance of Mr. Abe, remembered simply as “a fine man.”

Mid-90s Hardee’s was where and when Tanya Bass got her start, working hard under the motto, “If you got time to lean, you got time to clean.” Even with the long hours, the team made it fun, and memories of Willie Joe Wilmore still stand out from that time.

Another reader, Laurie Holland, shared that Hap-e Enterprise was their first job, conveniently located just two doors down from home. What started as summer work turned into afternoons after school, learning valuable lessons from Johnny and Danielle Smith.

Chad Allen remembers his first paying job at Porter’s Peach Packing House, but says his “real” first job was working for his uncle, Dock Churchwell, at Churchwell Drywall—working Saturdays, school breaks, and summers before going full-time after graduation.

Christy Spinks started at Bi-Lo around age 17 as a bagger and remembers enjoying taking groceries out to customers’ cars.

Jill Flowers also got her start at Hardee’s at 18, working with great people and making memories that still bring a smile—and maybe a few photos still floating around.

For Donna D. Rambo, The Peach Farm was more than just a first job. Working there at 16 in 1977 alongside friends was fun, but the best part was meeting Don. Years later, in 2015, Don became her husband.

Amee Stevens worked at Fred’s on Beach Street, where a regular day on the job turned into something more—she met her future husband there. They’ll celebrate 22 years of marriage this year.

And Loline O’Neal remembers working at Wynn’s 5 & 10 Cents store at 15 or 16, under manager Annette Pritchett. From after-school shifts to full Saturdays, lunch runs to the Grill or McVay’s Pharmacy, and busy Christmas seasons carrying layaway toys up and down long stairs—her memories are full of detail and joy. She even recalls assembling bicycles with Wayne Dykes, who once told her he’d marry her if he were older—though, as she joked, someone else beat her to it.

From dry goods stores to fast food counters, peach farms to five-and-dime shops, these stories remind us that first jobs are about more than just a paycheck. They’re about people, lessons, and moments that stay with us for a lifetime.

Got a memory to share? Join the conversation on The Ledger’s Facebook page.