While Viola Ferguson, a long-time server at Dean’s Haywood Café in Crabtree which is often simply dubbed the “truck stop” by locals, interviewed for this article, she cut lemons at the counter and easily chatted with regular customers.

“Ask her how old she is,” shouted customer Gifford Farmer from two tables away.

“I’ll tell you how old I am – I’m old enough to eat cornbread without getting choked,” retorted Ferguson, as she chopped lemons without missing a beat.

It’s that kind of back-and-forth friendly restaurant banter that has kept Ferguson serving at the café for 24 years, along with fellow server Summer Smart who has worked there 28 years and Teresa Rathbone who is celebrating year number 20.

Total, this unique trio of servers has served up good food at this hometown truck stop local ...