Mayberry: Tales from Within

By Gwendolyn Jackson

The title, Mayberry: Tales from Within, was created while sitting for nine months, waiting to go to prison from Clay County Jail. Since the prison was full, ladies were held here in what we called Mayberry Jail, waiting to go to Julia Tutwiler Prison

We called this jail Mayberry because the officers there were nice like the Andy Griffith Show characters. The book was born out of my and other ladies' pain. Clay County Jail had an officer that reminded me of each of those characters in the town of Mayberry. I give credit to each officer for the writing of this book, Mayberry: Tales from Within. Some stories are mostly truth and others, completely fiction. It will be up to the reader to figure out which. However, all stories will touch the reader's heart.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: May 26, 2023
• ISBN: 9781638445500

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Mayberry

Tales from Within

Gwendolyn Jackson

ISBN 978-1-63844-549-4 (paperback)

ISBN 978-1-63844-550-0 (digital)

Copyright © 2023 by Gwendolyn Jackson

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods without the prior written permission of the publisher. For permission requests, solicit the publisher via the address below.

Christian Faith Publishing

832 Park Avenue

Meadville, PA 16335

www.christianfaithpublishing.com

Printed in the United States of America

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments

Mayberry

The Ball: The Sequel to Mayberry

Mayberry, Never Forgotten

Belly of the Whale

Preface: 1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

Chapter 1: Meeting the Ladies

First Meeting

Angel 2

Angel 3

Angel 4

Angel 5

Angel 6

Angel 7

Angel 8

Angel 9

Angel 10

Honorary Angel

Runaway Soul: Part 1

The Soul I Knew: Part 2, Sequel

Now Back in Heaven

The Train Ride

Wrong Turn

She Called Me Sunshine

They Call Me Trouble

Lost at Sea

My Sister's Love

Mr. Willie

About the Author

Acknowledgments

First of all, I thank God for his grace and mercy. I thank God for keeping me in the midst of all my storms. He saw in me what I could not see in myself.

I thank my mother, Annie Bell Pippins, for giving me a chance at life. Although she was young and felt she made the worst mistake of her life when she became pregnant with me. Thank you, Mother. Although you are not here to read this, I love you.

Next I want to thank my loving husband, who is always by my side, no matter what I attempt to do. When I lose my faith, he has faith in me and for me. Thank you, dear husband, Mr. Tommy Wallace.

I would like the thank Ms. Shanley, a guard at Clay County Jail, because without her help and support, I would not have these stories today. When it was my time to go to Tutwiler Prison, I knew I could not take as many stories as I had written with me. The guards would have taken them upon my arrival and destroyed them.

Ms. Shanley said, Gwendolyn, I will keep them for you until you get out. And she did just that. She and I had both been in the military. She was a colonel, and I was enlisted. However, upon meeting, we felt a connection.

I want to thank my daughter, Shamieka Garrett, and all my grands. They are always telling me to do what I want, no matter what the next person thinks. They said, You can do it. When I fear failure, they encourage me until I'm strengthened. Thank you, family. I especially want to thank the ladies that shared their life, love, and pain with me, allowing me to share them with you. I also have a new friend to thank—Mrs. Shante Gray; she is my publication specialist. Upon sending my stories in, I had no faith they would be excepted until Mrs. Gray told me that she enjoyed them. She gave me more hope than anyone has ever given me in my life. Thank you, Mrs. Gray!

Chapter 1

Mayberry

This bizarre story actually began in Jefferson County Jail, where I met other ladies awaiting court dates or a ride on the train.

The main subject on a daily basis was when the train was going to run for Tutwiler Prison. Most of us prayed that we didn't have to take that ride, but there were those of us who knew we would.

I was one of those people. The ladies told me, If you get called out on a Monday or a Tuesday, you were going to the big house, and if you get called out on a Wednesday, you were going to Mayberry. I was one of those people.

Daily someone would remind me that my time was running out. Oh yes, I would soon be on that dreaded train. Night and day, I would pray, God, please don't let me go to Tutwiler. But there was no sign of freedom in sight.

My prayers began to change directions. Lord, I would say, please let me go to Mayberry. Well, in my way of childish thinking, Mayberry was the jail to be in.

I began to ask more and more questions about this jail in Mayberry. Well, from the description, I knew this was the jail for me.

The officers were very nice, and the health care was better. You got treated like a human, I was told, and they fed you good.

My mind was quickly made up.

God didn't have to worry about a wavering mind with me; it was steadfastly set on Mayberry Jail.

There were three big pluses with me: very nice officers, treated like a human, and (ha ha) good food. I really began to seek God's permissive will. Oh, God! I called daily. Please let them call me on a Wednesday.

On the thirteenth day, I felt God began to speak to my spirit. I often prayed in private, but this was not possible since we were locked out of our rooms from five thirty in the morning until seven or eight thirty at night.

My spirit became very heavy, and I could hear my father's voice, saying, Pray, my child. I could feel the presence of the Holy Spirit within me. I knew, had I not quickly found a place to pray, I would begin to speak in tongues

I asked God to please help me find a place because I take my relationship with him very personally. It's not for show or form. I told one of the other young ladies that cleaned at night about my need, but that day, even her room was locked. I didn't want to get in trouble anyway.

I could feel the fire shut up in my bones, and I knew I needed a place in a hurry. Father, help me, please. At this moment, God led me to the last room in the corner on the bottom floor. It was number 12, and no one stayed in it. I sat with my back turned toward the rest of the women and began to pour my heart and spirit out. I did not know why I needed such a deep purging, but the Holy Ghost did. He took over and began to intercede, and tongues began to flow. This went on for about an hour.

Afterward ladies came up to me and began to ask me what was wrong; why was I unhappy? I just knew that something had happened, or God was preparing me for something. He's making my heart ready to receive it. It may be good or bad.

Two days later, this was a Wednesday, July 15. About four thirty in the morning, a soft voice came over the intercom. Now there were two strange events that took place here: first, no officers in that jail ever spoke in a soft voice; and second, you could drive a truck past my bed, and I wouldn't move. However, when that soft voice said, Jackson, I said very softly and immediately, Yes, ma'am.

Pack it up, she said.

Yes, ma'am.

My heart didn't fall nor did I cry or feel any sadness. God was still working with me, because before I could get everything out of my room, she called me to leave; there was no time for tears or goodbyes.

But the people God had allowed my life to touch, as well as their lives touching mine, I knew that they would always have a place in my heart and prayers.

We were taken downstairs, where even our Bibles were taken away from us. It was sad because for some of us, the Word of God was all we had. We had lost everything except for the hope our Bibles gave us daily; now even that was gone. I would ask myself what more could they take from us.

Finally we were on the bus or train, as it's called by the inmates. We still were kind of unsure about our destination; however, one of the girls, about halfway out of the city, realized we were going the wrong way for Tutwiler.

Are we going to Clay County? she asked.

Yes, said one of the officers.

My heart jumped for joy. I was like a little kid going to see Santa; I was happy.

Thank you, God, I'm not going to Tutwiler.

Some of the girls said, The ladies are staying at Clay County for three to six months.

My spirit leaped again, as if I was John the Baptist when the mother of our Savior came before his mother. It was a short ride but a very joyful one. It was ten ladies on the bus, but the feeling of peace was all around us. Some were sleep, while others were like little children, looking at everything; I was one of the latter. Most of us hadn't seen the outside in months.

The bus began to slow down and the officer began to talk.

Ladies, you are now in Clay County. Please don't move until we stop the bus. Stand still until we loosen your cuffs.

I was so glad to be in Mayberry that I would stand outside all night if he told me to. This was not Tutwiler, and that's all that mattered.

I was one of the last people to enter the building and the last to get processed in. The first person I met was Officer Shanley. Officer Shanley reminds me of my military days. I thought to myself, Oh my god, I'm in trouble now! I knew this lady did not play the radio. Only two words were going to come from my lips.

Yes, ma'am.

As I sat before her, I saw the hard look of a drill sergeant in her face. I tried covering my fears with a big smile. Anyway others had gone before me, and I think they were still alive somewhere—at least I hope they were. After sitting before her for about ten minutes, I came to realize that she was kind, gentle, and very concerned about each and every one of the ladies, but this was not to be mistaken for weakness. There's nothing weak about this lady.

Everyone ran out of the holding cell before me because no one wanted to be my roommate. Everyone knew that I snore so hard that the room would rise and drop with every breath.

I told Officer Shanley my problem, and she said, You're in luck. You have a room all to yourself.

I could not stop thanking her or God; twice now he has answered my prayers.

The second person I met was Officer Grant. Come over here, ma'am.

I looked around to see who he was talking to; there was no way he was talking to me. Then he said the magic words, Jackson, would you like to call anyone? Now I knew he was talking to me. See, where I come from, your name was inmate.

As I made my call, I thought, Yes, yes, this is truly Mayberry, where you once again knew you were human. I was looking for a little gray-haired lady to walk in with a big juicy apple pie covered with a checkered cloth. Well, it didn't hurt to hope. Once I was finished, Officer Grant was instructed to take me to D pod. Oh no, this didn't sound good at all. I'd heard of cells, cellblocks, and dorms but never pods. Boy, my mind took off into some kind of fiction movie. Were the pods in some kind of cocoon? Holding them for some type of big insect to eat them later? Once we reached the back, you could not see or hear anyone. Only five big doors were there. My heart beat fast as the officer turned the key!

At last, people! They had not been eaten after all. There are many other officers to be met, but you will meet them later on in the story at the Labor Day party. The next character you will meet is Nurse McVey. She is one of the happiest people you will ever meet. She has a natural high on God and life. When she pulls up to the door of the dorm with her cart of magic cure, you'd think she was the local drug dealer. People would run to her cart as if it was a white caddy, and she was Nurse Biggie Big, the queen pin of Clay County. She could give them sugar pills, and they'd walk the rail and attempt to fly. She is well loved. However, don't get it twisted, as the younger generation say, because she has been blessed with the gift of discernment and can see right through you.

Now there's Sheriff Alexander. She's a small-framed soft-spoken pretty lady that ran her jail with precision. However, if made to, she can turn into a twelve feet six-hundred-pound giant that can pick you up by your heels, suck the meat from your body, and pick her teeth with your bones. I remember the lieutenant told us once, Ladies, take my word for it, this is one little lady you don't want to make mad. That was all I needed to hear. I sure didn't want to get her mad at me.

Now there's Officer Burney, a soft-spoken woman of few words, a light smile, and a pleasant attitude. Now don't let that fool you. She does not miss anything, and her eyes are always on the move. I think when the Bible says, God's eyes go back and forth thru out the earth, he was talking about Officer Burney.

We have Officer Shanley. She doesn't know it, but most of us call her mother. You see, she has trained herself to show an outer hardness, but inside she has a love for God and his creation. Be it mankind or the animal kingdom. Life is very precious to her. She will try to give anything a chance at life. I often look to see her walk in one day with a baby snake and a bottle trying to keep it alive.

Now we're going to take a look at one of the best-looking men I've seen in jail. Lt. Cotney is very handsome, with light-brown hair. He's a soft-spoken man that seems to have a great love for God and the inmates held in Clay County. We don't see much of him, but when we do, it's clear that if he has to in order to run this jail, he will carry a big stick in one hand and the Bible in the other. I'm sure if he had to do whatever it takes to keep order, he would. I can hear him saying, God, forgive me! But I must be about the sheriff's business.

Now let's take a look at Office Gaynell. She's a lady of few words, but when she does speak, you need to listen. You can tell that she enjoys the fineries of life. Before I looked into her face, I noticed her many rings. She reminds me of a hardworking lady that has worked hard for her children, and now it's time for her to live and enjoy her own life.

Now I guess you wonder what this has to do with its title, Mayberry. Well, when you put together all that I've told you, and put it with the rest of the story, you will understand why this county jail is called Mayberry Jail by most inmates. The name does not downgrade the jail. No, not at all. As a matter of fact, it sets Clay County Detention Center at the top of the charts for the most humane jail in the state of Alabama. In fact, they are so great that we were given a surprise party on Labor Day. All that day, we could smell the greatest food ever. Most of us were praying, Oh, God, please let that smell be our dinner.

Finally most of us could not take the smell any longer and decided to take a nap. After about an hour, I heard one of the other ladies call me, Ms. Gwen, get up! They want everyone to get up for lunch.

Lunch! I said, Thank God it's time to eat.

As we opened our plates, everyone's heart dropped, and we were all sad. It was our Monday meal. Black-eyed peas, tomatoes, corn bread, and collard greens. Now that all sound good, but believe me, it's not what your mother will cook. Most of us didn't eat. We just knew it was a joke. Something else was coming to us. So we took another nap while we waited. Again I heard a voice call my name.

Ms. Gwen, get up. They want everyone to go outside.

What now, Lord? I was moving in slow motion. After a minute or so, I was out the door and headed down the hall. I didn't want to go outside just to smell other people barbecue cooking. Once I reached the back door, I could not believe my eyes. The whole backyard was set up like a Hawaiian luau. The first person I saw was Officer Shanley. She stood in her miniskirt, six-inch high heels, with lipstick and hanging earrings. She was turning burgers and hot dogs, while shaking her hips to the music and doing the stanky leg. Boy, she could get down with it. I could not close my mouth. Was this real? She was a high-ranking colonel in the army and was hard as nails. You would not think of seeing her dressed like this. She often dressed as if she was going to feed her cows.

Meanwhile in another corner was Officer Felix and also Officer Gaynell. Officer Felix had on a 1950's outfit and a large Afro wig with his guitar hung across his chest. He had on bell-bottom pants that came above his ankle as he sang Proud Mary keep on burning. Officer Gaynell had on a fringe-bottom short skirt with six-inch heels and a big Tina Turner hairdo. Her hips were moving so fast you'd get a pain in the neck trying to keep up with her. Man! She was really rolling on the river, and all her big wheels kept turning.

Off to our right were Nurse McVey, Sheriff Alexander, and Officer Burney. They all had on hula skirt. Nurse McVey was the leader of the group.

Look, ladies, she said, you got to move your hips with your feet.

What do you think I'm trying to do? said Sheriff Alexander. "I can only get so much to move.

Officer Burney bounced around a few moves, then screamed, Look, ladies! I think I got it. I can move my hips.

The DJ put on the right music, and the ladies began to work their hips.

Yes, yes! screamed Nurse McVey. Work it, girls! Work it! That's what I'm talking about.

Now the other ladies were good, but Nurse McVey could really work it. Off to the left of us were Lt. Cotney and Capt. Cotney. They came in with tight-leg Levi's jeans and shirts with the first two buttons open. It was just enough for the ladies' minds to run away. The ladies knew they were Christians, but I guess they said that does not stop them from being nice-looking. They also came with the rest of their band. Well, that spoke for itself. You know who took over the show. The girls almost died when Lt. Cotney sang I Just Got Started Lovin' You. All those that didn't faint on his song did faint when Capt. Cotney sang Fall in these arms of mine.

Officer Fish was keeping the pig turned over on the rack. Every now and then, he would run over in front of Officer Shanley and do the stanky leg with her. Up until this point, we had not heard anything from Officer Grant.

Everyone began to call out to him, Come on, it's your time.

Finally Lt. Cotney said, You can't leave without doing something, son.

Officer Grant stood up, as if he was shy and couldn't do anything. Then all at once, he broke loose with one of Eminem's hottest songs (Shake That Ass for Me). The girls went wild, at least the ones that were still standing. Some was still out from Fall into these arms of mine, the song by Capt. Cotney.

Well, we still had Officer Mitchell, Officer Ashley, and Officer Welch to hear from. Officer Mitchell had him two women to dance with. He was getting down. He did some break-dancing, a little James Brown, and a little Michel Jackson. Most of the time, we saw him as a little butterball and a grandmama's boy, but now he was the man of the day. The ladies tried to put it on him, but they couldn't handle him. He was hot.

Now here came Officer Chapell. He walked in with three of his football friends; they were dressed in their game uniform. Well, all I can say about that is, after a few turns around the field here and there, it has been a job trying to recuperate Sheila Underwood and bring her temperature down from 102.

Well, it will soon be time for the party to end. I will always remember the officers and staff of Clay County Detention Center. So now do you understand why it's called Mayberry? It's because of the type of humanity found there. Like the TV show where people are cared for, concerned about, and treated with kindness, this you will find in Clay County (Mayberry) also. I'm sure and hope none of us will ever want to go to jail again, but I'm sure if we did, we would want it to be in Mayberry. Oh just a little note to the federal government! The big Hawaiian luau—oh well, it was nice while it lasted; however, it was only a dream. Nice! But still, only a dream.

Smile!

The beginning.

The Ball: The Sequel to Mayberry

There's a small town called Ashland, Alabama. It's located in Clay County. Most of the townspeople in this county are like one big family.

In this county, you will find a small jail called Clay County Detention Center. This is where I have spent eleven months of my life. This center is a holding place for the overfilled women's prison Julia Tutwiler.

Maybe I should take you back a few months so that you will understand how I came to be here. A few weeks prior to July 15, 2009, I was being held in Jefferson County Jail, waiting for what's called the train, which, in reality, is only a bus ride to prison.

I didn't want any part of prison and prayed daily for God to deliver me. Ladies in jail would talk daily about how long you could be there before the train came for you. The more I heard them talk, the more it sounded like an eternal death sentence. For a Christian, that's not good at all. The more they talked, the more I prayed.

One day, the ladies began to speak about a place called Mayberry. They said if the train ran on Monday or Tuesday, you were going to Tutwiler, but if it ran on Wednesday, you would go to Mayberry.

The young ladies spoke very highly of Mayberry and its staff. They said the officers treated you like humans. Well, that was a plus with me. And good food was the only other thing I needed to hear.

I prayed day and night that my name was not called for prison, but on Sunday nights, I prayed very hard.

Wednesday, July 15, about 4:00 a.m., I heard a soft voice over the intercom.

Jackson, pack it up, the voice said.

I was so hurt that I was leaving for prison that I didn't think about Mayberry until I was downstairs in booking, among nine other ladies headed the same way.

They began to ask questions, Are we going to Clay County?

The officers replied, I don't know. All I know is you're on your way to prison.

Man, this did not sound good at all. However, I had accepted my fate. No matter where I was, I knew God was with me. He promised me that his grace is sufficient for me, for His power is made perfect in weakness. I knew he was going to take care of me.

Once on the bus, bound hands and feet, the officers seemed to be going the wrong way for Tutwiler, so one of the ladies asked, Are we going to Tutwiler?

No, said the officer, you are going to Clay County.

Lord, if I was not chained down, I would have run up front and kissed one of those officers. Praise the Lord for those chains; haha, they might have thought it was an attempt to escape.

Now that you know how I ended up in Mayberry, let's move on with the story. Many have left in the eleven months I've been here, officers and inmates, but the officers and staff that's dear to my heart are still here.

Many people have asked me, How can you feel close to an officer? They don't really care about you.

However, I also realize that those same people try to use their street manipulation tactics in an attempt to get over. It doesn't matter how small, just the idea of getting away with something is enough for them. This statement does not apply to all inmates, because most of them just want to do their time and repent for their crime.

I only know that God has told me to love everyone. It doesn't matter if they are in blue or white. Yes, I can feel close to an officer; they are only doing their jobs.

No one is at fault for my situation. I could have chosen the same way of life, but didn't. Thank God they did.

I didn't obey the law of God or man. Which is numbered 8 in the Ten Commandments (You shall not steal!). No matter how I may want to color code the case, it's still gray. It carries the same label as bank robbery (stolen!). If you take that which is not yours, it's stolen. God, forgive me.

There are those like Officer Shanley, Officer Burney, Officer Gaynell, and Nurse McVey that really make me miss being on the right side of the track.

Officer Shanley reminds me of my military days at my best—hard but caring. Officer Burney reminds me of my quiet side; she's quiet but very