SYLVESTER, Ga. (WALB) - For over three decades, Pruitt Health has been home to one special resident, and this year, her long-held wish finally came true.

Shirley Milton has lived at Pruitt Health for 33 years. Staff say Milton is a people person who has only asked for one thing every single day — to spend Christmas with her family.

“To know Miss Shirley is to love Miss Shirley,” said Marilyn Bryant the former Activity Director at Pruitt Health.

When Milton was three months old, she was involved in a car accident where a drunk driver hit the car she was traveling in with her parents. She received a traumatic brain injury and was changed forever. Years later, she arrived at Pruitt Health after her mother could no longer take care of her.

Staff and family say Milton continued to smile and be a happy, loving person, but she asks the same thing every day.

“She always says she is going home for Christmas, so she always says that. Every day she says it; she tells me 50 times, and she’ll tell them too,” said her sister, Alfredia Jackson.

Every year, Pruitt Health grants a wish for a resident at the center. Since Milton is unable to go home due to her current situation, the staff at Pruitt Health decided to bring home to her.

They decorated the center in a festive Christmas theme and invited her family to eat dinner, catered for free by Kountry Boy Blue. Most importantly, they finished off the gathering with cake.

“She is like our family, so of course, for your family, you want to make their dreams come true. You know, we love her and we love all of our residents, but Shirley’s been with us for a long time,” said Brandie Branch, Director of Nursing at Pruitt Health.

In addition to the celebration, staff, friends, and family decided to raise money for the organization, Mothers Against Drunk Driving. The fundraising effort was organized in honor of Milton and her wonderful impact at Pruitt Health.

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