San Diego, California News Station - KFMB Channel 8 - cbs8.comSisters got soul

Sisters got soul

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By Larry Himmel, Reporter - bio | email

In the heart of the city, Larry Himmel has discovered a little soul and takes us to 30th and Imperial for some authentic, down home inspiration.

February is Black History Month, but this really has nothing to do with ethnicity. It's just an excuse to spend some more time with one of the most remarkable women I've ever met, and she's been a sister of mine for a long, long time.

I've known Sister Pee Wee for over 25 years. But, for the past 43 years, Sister has been the queen of San Diego's soul food, serving up homestyle meals from her pint sized cafe just off the corner of 30th and Imperial.

Her food authentic.

"Back in Arkansas, I started on a wooden stove, now I'm up to gas. How about that?" she laughs.

Her stats are unbelievable:

"I'm the mother of 10 legal children."

Barbara "Pee Wee" Harris gave birth to eight children. The other two were discovered living in a park around the corner, abandoned by their drug addicted mother. She adopted the two girls nine years ago at age 68. Do the math, today at age 77, you'll still find her, six days a week, stirring the big pots and serving up the huge plates at Sister Pee Wee's Soul Food Kitchen.

And through these tough economic times, Sister Pee Wee has been sustained by faithful customers and faith.

"My faith in God, that's from whence my health come from the Lord," she added.

And her health has helped her bare witness to history.

"I'm so grateful that god let me stay here long enough to see a black president," she said.

Just off the corner of 30th and Imperial, heaping portions of heart and soul are always on the menu.

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