Anderson’s Grate: Generations of nursing a community
One might think with 12 years of school board experience, the Vice Chairperson of the Anderson School District Four Board of Trustees, Paulette Grate, would be most known for her service in education. Though she is a well-respected educator, it is nursing which makes “Grate” a household name.
The now retired Grate knew from as early as age 12 she wanted to help people. For better than 44 years, she did so, either as a director of nursing for a long-term care facility, a nursing instructor for the local technical college, a nurse consultant or just at the request of those in the Pendleton area where she was born and reared.
“I wanted to care for people. I used to care for my grandmother,” said Grate. “She was diabetic, so she was on insulin, and I would help care for her and give her insulin.”
Grate’s service became even more widespread as her passion for the profession grew.
“Then, there were other older ladies in our church that would need help, and I would go help clean their homes and go to the grocery store with them, whatever they needed,” said Grate.
In 1978, Grate earned her nursing degree from Clemson University and from there, whether at home or at work, she slowly became the community’s on-call nurse.
“If anybody got sick in the middle of the night because we’re out in the rural area, they would pick up the phone and call me,” she said. “They knew they could pick up the phone anytime, day or night. I always left clothes out at night so if anybody in the community got sick, I can get there before the rescue squad.”
These and other experiences are a constant reminder of her purpose in life, said Grate.
“I had a good friend from high school that had Crohn’s disease, and she was always in and out of the hospital. I helped care for her,” she said.
Grate, after working a full shift, would go to the hospital to sit with her friend.
“We’re still good friends and that’s been 50 years ago,” she said.
Grate also recalls an incident early in her career involving her then, 20-year-old niece who suffered from lupus.
“She started having seizures right in the middle of the storm and I had to get with her dad and get her to the emergency room, which was about 15, 16 miles away. It took over an hour to go about 15 miles,” Grate said. “That one made me know that this was where I needed to be within caring for people.”
The incident not only helped solidify Grate’s desire to serve, but her daughter was so inspired, she serves as a nurse today. Grate even has a granddaughter who earned a degree in healthcare management from Lander University.
In many regards, Grate has not fully retired. Her work continues at the church where her family has held a membership for at least four generations – New Holly Light Missionary Baptist Church.
Grate is the administrative assistant to pastor and is even working to produce a new crop of nurses through the health ministry she founded at the church in 1980.
“Now, we have 10 RNs (registered nurses), probably 10 or 12 sitters (and) 35 medical assistants and EKG (electrocardiogram) technicians,” said Grate.
As for the future, Grate, her husband David, their four daughters and eight grandchildren plan to continue a legacy of caring for others at home, through the church or wherever else they are called upon to serve.