When I saw the Southern Kitchen Restaurant’s Facebook page about the New Market restaurant honoring Juanita Durrett in the SK Hall of Fame there, I thought about how Juanita, who had worked there for 69 years and who was famous for her pies (coconut cream was probably ordered the most!) must have an interesting life story. Since I knew Juanita’s granddaughter and great grandchild well, I decided to learn more about her as a person, family member, and community member. On a cold February morning during Black History Month and twelve days after her ninety-ninth birthday, I had the pleasure of talking with her and learning more about her life in New Market.
Juanita was born in Ohio on January 30, 1926, and just celebrated her 99th birthday. She moved to New Market in the 40s, and started her family. Juanita doesn’t like to talk about herself, and she mentioned several times that she didn’t want to talk about things that happened long ago.
Second row: Daughter Teresa Hunter and great grandchild Caident Thompson
Third row: Daughter Carol Perkins, son Harry Durrett, grandson NT Perkins, and grandson Duane Perkins
New Market was where Juanita raised her four children: the late Alfreda Durrett, Teresa Hunter, Carol Perkins, and Harry Durrett. Her three living children, all three of her grandchildren (Alfreda’s daughter Joanne Thompson, and Carol’s sons NT and Duane Perkins) and one great grandchild Caiden Thompson gathered to celebrate her 99th birthday. Harry and Teresa both live on the same street as their mom, and Carol lives in Waynesboro. Grandchild Joanne and great-grandchild Caiden live a few blocks away, so Juanita has plenty of her family nearby if she needs something.
Juanita was a kitchen manager at Southern Kitchen when the Newland family owned it. She worked there until she was in her 80s. When asked how long she worked there, Juanita replied “for a long time.” Juanita, who is black, said that she did not experience much racism in New Market; and noted that any racist things she saw or heard were “signs of the times.”
Son Harry noted that his mother was “a special person; a terrific role model with a work ethic over the top who would walk up the hill in deep snow to get to work.” In fact, for many years, Juanita always walked up that hill to work. Juanita confirmed that she only remembers one time when she didn’t go to work; she had the flu and missed a few days. The other restaurant workers brought food to her. She also noted that businessman Carroll Moyers was a frequent patron, and if it snowed a lot, he would drive his truck to her house and take her to work so that she could open Southern Kitchen, and he could get breakfast!
Granddaughter Joanne Thompson wrote an eloquent Facebook post on her “Grandmama” for her birthday. Joanne reflected: “99 years. Even though humans seem to be living longer, 99 years is beyond my comprehension. It boggles my mind that both my parents are gone, but my feisty, hardworking, funny, stubborn, no nonsense, amazing grandmother is still with us and still keeping us all in line. What a tremendous blessing! She may not move as fast as she used to, but she still moves. She may not get out as much as she’d like to, but she still keeps in touch with people and stays informed about the world around her. She may forget a thing or two here and there, but the sharpness of her mind is astounding, and let’s face it, we all forget a thing or two here and there. Her spirit is just as alive and active as it has always been. Her life is contagious. She is a living, breathing history, and I find myself more amazed with her with every passing season.”
Juanita mentioned to me that one thing she misses most in going to church. She reminisced about Manor Memorial United Methodist Church in New Market, where she worshiped when she was able to get out. She and other women of the church crocheted, made quilts and afghans, studied the Bible, and more.
Although Juanita has fond memories of working at Southern Kitchen, and says that although Jimmy Shifflett treated her well when he bought the business from the Newlands, she doesn’t miss working. Juanita did mention that she misses co-worker Cindy Rinker, who coordinated the Hall of Fame photos and information about Juanita’s induction which was published in February, 2025, in the Chimney Rock Chronicle.
Great grandchild Caiden Thompson sums up the essence of Juanita: “Having a great grandma is an amazing physical manifestation of how paradoxically short and long a century is (even though she’s not 100 yet.) It’s incredible to be able to actually know her instead of just hearing stories about her, and I’m so glad I have the opportunity to know such a dedicated, loving, and funny person.” Amen!
