CityView Magazine

CityViewNC.com | 23 Honor 611 West Russell Street • 484-7161 www.homemakersfurniturenc.com All Leather Wing Recliners Starting at $ 1650 Available in Navy, Brown and Burgundy Since 1945 HOMEMAKERS FURNITURE & INTERIORS MADE IN USA and "e Electric Company" on TV. She wanted to become a mother. Aer three miscarriages, the couple adopted a baby boy in Panama, where they were stationed. e marriage ended in divorce aer 13 years, leaving her as a single mom. Her son would be tragically killed in a car accident at age 18. Always one to work hard, Ms. PJ persevered – managing custodial and cafeteria staffs on Fort Bragg and toiling in restaurants, waiting tables and cooking, too. In 1996, she found true love, marrying for a second time. "A good man," she says. In October 2017, her husband, Felton Smith, died of cancer. Five months later, Ms. PJ would be diagnosed with Stage 2 breast cancer and undergo radiation, chemotherapy and surgery. In many ways she felt alone, but also blessed to be helped by her church family. A year aer being diagnosed, and in remission, she knew the time was right to make her dream come true. She opened her namesake restaurant. Exactly a year and a week later, COVID-19 was declared a worldwide pandemic and became part of our daily lexicon. Suddenly, like other business owners, Ms. PJ had to "pivot." No more buffet. More takeout orders. And, of course, increased sanitary measures. She relies on a small team who are "like family." Labor shortages and rising food costs are the daily struggles of many restaurant owners, and she is no different. She keeps looking and praying for the additional right people to help her cook, clean and wait on customers. Regardless, she has stepped up her efforts to feed the homeless by assisting a friend with an outreach program in Hope Mills. It's common to see her packing up large pans of ai specialties, so she can help fill the need. She also has kept busy with an adopted daughter and her family who recently moved from ailand to the Fayetteville area. At 5-feet-2-inches tall, Ms. PJ is small in stature, but a giant to many who have been recipients of her kindness. "When you do things for people, you can change their lives," she says. She is living proof that, what we oen hunger for the most, isn't necessarily about the food – but acceptance, human connection and what she lovingly calls "the humble heart." She serves it all in great abundance.

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