During her 37 years as an employee of Mac's Drive-Thru in Gainsville, Florida, Sighle Williams became known for remembering regular-customer names and orders.
On the evening of Saturday, May 2nd, no doubt many of those customers will be back to celebrate the work ethic and personality of Williams, who retired in the fall of 2024. A 20-minute documentary about her last day on the job, One Last Order, is set to premiere locally.
"Williams's dedication over 37 years shows that when you value your employees, they in turn create immeasurable value for your customers and community," noted Lauren DeFilippo, daughter of Mac's owner Ron DeFilippo, who co-directed the short documentary with Sam Soko. "We wanted her last day behind the window to be as memorable as she's made every customer feel."
At this month's Aspen Shorts Festival, One Last Order won both the Audience Award and the prize for Best Documentary. The jury stated in awarding the latter prize that "while we are living in particularly tumultuous times, when the news can feel like an endless cycle of darkness, it feels especially important to shed light on the joyful moments of humanity. The jury was taken for an exciting and moving ride by this film's celebration of a resilient, hardworking subject who united a community with her generous spirit."
Williams started part-time at Mac's Drive-Thru in the summer of 1987 when the restaurant first opened. A year later, shockingly, her parents died two days apart, leading her to take over the care of two nieces who had been living with them and a few years later, three more great-nieces.
For the free screening event on May 2nd, there will be music provided by The Browns and, of course, a Mac's food truck. Owner DeFilippo is getting ready to open a second Mac's Drive-Thru location in the area and will be lucky if he lands employees with the spirit of his beloved all-timer.
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