Then: Tommy Overcash Sr. worked at the mill for 49 years in the shipping department. He retired on disability from the mill in 1999. Overcash accepted the job at the mill after working at a service station for much less money. His wife and both sons all worked at the mill at one time.
Now: Overcash is retired and living with his wife.
Legacy of the mill: “The mill was fair with you. I was a high school dropout and they treated me well. That’s what mattered to me, how they treated you.”
A.R. TutterowThen: A.R. Tutterow worked at the mill for 42 years. Starting as a sweeper in the card room, Tutterow worked his way to plant manager of Plant No. 1. Tutterow was laid off on July 30, 2003.
Now: Tutterow currently works as a manager of the Rockwell Sheet Plant.
Legacy of the mill: “I don’t think the young people will understand how the town all used to be together. They won’t understand what it was like 10 years down the road. Eventually it will be totally forgotten about, which is a shame.”
Judy HatleyThen: Judy Hatley worked as an inspector in the sheets department for 27 years before being laid off in 2002. She said she loved the job and still keeps in touch with many of her friends from the department. She met her husband while working at Pillowtex.
Now: Hatley works in the bakery department at the Kannapolis Wal-Mart Supercenter. She added that when the Wal-Mart opened nearly five years ago, more than half of the staff was laid-off Pillowtex employees.
Legacy of the mill: “I’ll always remember that place, it was the life of the town … I had so many good friends there and I love the work. People will remember those relationships they had back then.”
Joe HatleyThen: Joe Hatley worked in the sheet-printing department for nine years. He started working at Pillowtex as a way to supplement his income while working in construction.
Now: Hatley left the mill in 2000 to work as a Geotech with the Concord Engineering Department.
Legacy: “To the old hands, it was the life of Kannapolis and for a lot of them that job was there life … We’ll look at the (NC Research Campus) and remember what was there and what the plant meant to the town. Although, I think some may forget about it as time goes by.”
Junior BittleThen: Junior Bittle worked as a loom technician in the weaving department for 41 years. Bittle obtained a job at the mill in 1962 through his father who was also employed there.
Now: Both Bittle and his wife - who worked in the security department - were laid off on July 30, 2003. Both have since retired.
Legacy of the mill: “I’m sure no one will ever forget that place. They’ll remember they made their living there. That was a livelihood for most people in the area.”
Leonard ChapmanThen: Leonard Chapman worked at Pillowtex for 48 years in the shipping department as a checker. He later moved to warehouse inventory. He was laid off July 30, 2003.
Now: Chapman took classes at Rowan-Cabarrus Community College but was unable to find another job. He has since retired.
Legacy of the mill: “The mill sustained the town for a long time. The workers weren’t well off, you may have lived from paycheck to paycheck but you were able to stay above water … I think people will always remember what the mill did for the town.”
Agatha OvercashThen: Agatha Overcash worked for the mill for 40 years as a sheet hemmer and distribution clerk. She left the mill in 1999 on disability. She was part of four generations of her family who worked at Cannon through Pillowtex.
Now: Overcash retired on disability to her back and lives with her husband.
Legacy of the mill: “It was a family at the mill. Your family worked there and the people you worked with were your family. That was tough to see go.”
Email
Facebook
Google
Twitter
Favorites
More
Advertisement