Within the halls of every building are people that often go unnoticed. They are the people that clean the classrooms, the bathrooms and the buildings. They are custodians, and each of them has a story.
Willie Davis, Charlesetta Wheeler and Peggy Powell are custodians in the Meeman Journalism building, and they all take pride in their work.
Davis has worked as a custodian at The University of Memphis for 20 years, Powell for more than seven years and Wheeler for two years. They were all hired from Physical Plant and Planning.
Davis is known by some of the students in the journalism building as “Mr. Nice Guy.”
He laughed when he heard this title. Students have said he is the nicest guy in the world but no one knows his name.
“Tell them it’s Willie,” he said with a smile.
He speaks softly and says he does not like to be the center of attention. He was happy to share the spotlight with his co-workers.
Davis is the floor person and Wheeler and Powell do the general cleaning throughout the building.
Many people do not know of Powell and Wheeler because they get off work at 11 a.m. Davis is most often seen on the first two floors of the Meeman Journalism building.
All three are Memphis natives. Davis is a graduate of Melrose High School where his favorite subject was science.
Wheeler went to Hamilton High and also liked science classes. Powell attended Douglas where her favorite subject was English.
Wheeler said she does feel neglected by the student body sometimes.
“It’s not that I’m trying to be noticed, it’s just that it seems they (students) don’t give you any consideration,” Wheeler said.
Even though each said being a custodian was not the job of their dreams, they also said they were happy with the lives. Still, they all have their idea of a dream job.
Powell said she always wanted to be a nurse.
“I like to help people,” she said.
Powell also said she is a people person, and by being a custodian, she can at least satisfy her joy of being around people. She has a great desire to feed the homeless and does what she can to help out.
“When I can, I give homeless people some money or get them something to eat,” Powell said.
Wheeler said she likes animals and once wanted to become a veterinarian. She said she also likes working with elderly people. She said she would have liked to become a home nurse, but believes it is too late for her to realize that ambition now.
Davis said he always wanted to be a police officer, and likes the idea of being an authority figure. He mentioned he would probably retire from The University of Memphis but is still too young to consider that.
Powell agreed that she would retire from The University of Memphis but Wheeler said it is too soon for her to decide.
Powell is married with two children and a stepdaughter. She has 14 grandchildren.
Wheeler is single with no children. She said she likes her freedom and being on her own.
“I’m kind of set in my ways,” Wheeler said.
Davis has a daughter and three grandchildren but is no longer married. He said he often spends time with his grandchildren.
All three were anxious to talk about their hobbies and activities after work.
Powell said she likes to sew and is a deaconess at her church. She said it keeps her busy and fulfilled.
Wheeler said she likes to read and take long walks. She enjoys romance and horror novels. She said her favorite author is Stephen King.
“After working I like to relax at home, read a book, you know, just chill,” Wheeler said. “I like to take long walks too.”
Davis said his hobby is sports.
“I’m like most men. I follow sports,” Davis said.
He said he likes watching football the most. His favorite professional team is the Indianapolis Colts, and he made it clear he is loyal to the Memphis Tigers.
“I also like to play golf sometimes,” he added.
Powell chimed in and said her favorite book is the Bible.
“I keep it close,” Powell said. “It is with me every day.”
Wheeler said her favorite musicians are Barry White, the Temptations and Kenny Rogers.
Powell said she favors gospel music.
Davis said he likes all types of music from country to rock ‘n’ roll and just about everything in between. He said he likes Marvin Gaye and his favorite band is Maze.
They are all fans of B.B. King.
Wheeler said her favorite movie is “Blade 2,” but she admitted it was because of Wesley Snipes.
“I like everything Ice Cube makes — everything,” Wheeler said. “I think he is so sexy.”
She also likes John Wayne movies.
Powell likes John Wayne and Gene Autry movies.
When asked what the title would be to a movie made about their lives, each one paused to think.
Powell said her movie would be about a person who tried their whole life to love others like Jesus wants her to. She said her title would be “To love like Jesus.”
Wheeler said her movie would be a comedy or mystery. She said possible titles would be “Lady at Large” or “Lady of Mystery.”
The more reserved Davis found it hard to come up with a title for his movie. Powell and Wheeler said a good title would be “Mystery Man” because he is so quiet.
They all said they do not get together after work because their schedules are different and they live so far away from each other. They sometimes get meet each other at potluck parties and around the holidays. They all said they enjoy their time together.
Davis said the only problem he has ever had with his job is with co-workers, not with superiors. He said sometimes people like to do things their own way or they don’t work well with others.
All three said they are happy at their current positions.
When asked about the state of affairs in America, each had similar opinions.
Davis said he is not afraid and is he really unhappy with the government.
“I just think we need to take care of what’s going on at home first,” he said. “I’m not saying we shouldn’t try to stop terrorism but we’ve got a lot going on at home that needs to be given more attention.”
Powell said she prays for Americans to come back to the Lord.
“We need to pray and ask God to guide our president on what to do because he is our leader and get behind him by praying for him,” Powell said.
Wheeler said she feels the same as Davis. She said sometimes she is scared.
“I just take it one day at a time and I do a lot of praying,” she said.
Each said they would vote in the upcoming election.
These friendly people are here everyday, working to keep our hallways and classrooms clean. In the hustle of the day, it is easy to ignore them. Just remember they see what we don’t and they know what is going on in these hallways long after we are gone.
