Loyalty, hard work, and a gracious spirit have been the core values of one Valdosta man’s life for more than 60 years.

At a time when segregation was plaguing the South and the races were at odds with each other, P.J. Smith looked past the circumstances surrounding him and began what he called the beginning of his “happy life.”

Born in 1936 in Dublin, Ga., Plummer Junior Smith (nicknamed P-Nookie as a child) grew up in a house with his father, Roy, mother, Lillie Mae, and nine siblings. In search of better opportunities, the family moved to Valdosta when P.J. (as he prefers to be called) was around 4 or 5 years old. With his older brother (and eldest Smith child) away serving his country in the armed forces, P.J. decided it was his responsibility to assist with the family income.

One day, while walking home from school with six other kids, it was suggested they all leave school and find jobs — the children were only 13 years old.

Upon approaching a businessman, the seven youngsters were asked what their ages were. When they all replied they were 13, the man dismissed them, telling them, by law, they were too young to work for his business. When the man asked P.J. how old he was, he replied, “18.”

“I guess there was just something he saw in me,” P.J. said with a smile. “He told me to wait over on the side while he talked to the other kids. He came back and asked me again how old I was, and I told him my age. He said he would have to pay me under the table until I was old enough to receive a (legitimate) paycheck.”

The businessman turned out to be Doug Holt, who owned Valdosta’s Pepsi Company. P.J. worked hard for Mr. Holt and over a period of time developed a relationship with the Holt family.

“They would invite me

 over for dinner, and I made extra money by doing some work at their house,” P.J. said. “It was to the point where I would take his kids places they needed to be and pick them up. I practically raised his (Holt’s) son and daughter.”

The bond between the young black male and the family he described as his family from another mother and father was strengthened so much so that P.J. was offered something not heard of ever during that time at Pepsi.  

“Mr. Holt made me the first black salesman at Pepsi,” P.J. said.

“The girls thought I was the hottest thing around,” he said with a chuckle. “I made good money and wasn’t concerned if I was being paid the right amount. I had a job, worked for good people and was happy.”

That happiness lasted throughout his time at Pepsi. P.J. worked for Mr. Holt for 35 of the 37 years Pepsi was under Holt’s ownership.

“When Pepsi was sold, Mr. Holt went and got the racetrack, and I went to work there,” P.J. said. “After two years, they gave that business up and bought Diamond Eagle (a boating place on Highway 41 South). I followed the family to that business as well.”

In 2008, Diamond Eagle shut down due to the economy. Speedy Lube located on 3101 N. Ashley St. was already up and running before the boating business sank. Sensing the closing of the business was nearing, Holt sent P.J. to work at the automotive station under the management of his son, A.D. Holt.

“It’s funny,” P.J. said. “I grew up with A.D. at Pepsi, and he ended up being my boss later on.”

The affable man said he has been at Speedy Lube for three years now and loves it. He never went to a trade school or had any formal educational training after leaving junior high but has always managed to learn the tasks at hand very quickly, worked very hard and made a name for himself. While many have tried to “coerce” the hard- working man away from the Holt family, P.J. said they remained loyal to him and he repaid them by returning the favor.

His day begins at 6:30 a.m. (Monday through Friday) with the setting up of the shop. When the station opens at 7 a.m., he is ready and waiting for the customers to arrive. He works all day, stopping just long enough to go pick up lunch for himself, A.D. and the mechanic. He wouldn’t even sit down during this interview. As customers pulled into the garage, P.J. excused himself, took care of their needs then returned to the interview, picking up just where he left off. He said his duties include working under the car changing the fluids and anything else that needs to be done around the shop, but he does not actually work on the vehicles. When the shop closes at 5 p.m., he goes home, takes a shower, eats dinner and sometimes will do more work if requested. During the weekends, if he doesn’t have plans with his bride, Dianne, of five years (dated for 30 years), he will take on duties people hire him to do.

“I take on extra work like cleaning people’s boats, clearing away their land … whatever,” he said. “I have to keep working. I can’t sit for too long.”

When asked when his last vacation was, P.J. laughed, shook his head and said he has never been on a vacation. He said once he tried to take a weekend off and could barely walk when Monday rolled around. His work ethic is to be admired, but when asked if he has advice for the young men growing up in the streets today, he said, No.

“I don’t have a lot of advice to offer other than to take advantage of opportunities,” P.J. said. “When people are nice to you and want to offer a (legitimate) job, take it. You never know where it could lead.”

On the rare occasion the ever-smiling, soon-to-be 75-year-old (in October) isn’t working, he said he is an avid NASCAR and Valdosta High football fan.

“I like Dale Jr. even though he’s not what he used to be,” P.J. said.

When it comes to these two interests, he tells people he can’t work. He plans his weekend work around football season and NASCAR.

“People usually know not to ask me anything around these times,” he laughed. “These are my only hobbies. I used to have other hobbies, but I gave them up long ago.”

In addition to his relationship with his wife, P.J. shared a strong bond with his mother, Lillie Mae, who he said passed away at the age of 92. His father, Roy, died in 1968. P.J. shared very few family memories, but what he did say was he remembered being one of the first families to move into one of the new Hudson Dockett units.

Holding on to the good memories of yesterday and maintaining new relationships today is important to P.J., especially customer relationships.

“They like to see the same face every time they bring in their car,” he said. “They put trust in you and request you when their cars need maintenance work. I pay attention to everyone who comes here. We have some very loyal customers.”

“I’m a workaholic who loves to smile,” he added. “On the occasion when I’m having a bad day, those who are around me a lot know and they don’t say anything to me. I don’t have many of those days, though.”

The father of four children from previous relationships said he has had a beautiful life and does not plan to stop anytime soon.

“I will work until the good Lord says I’m done.”