SAN ANTONIO -- In 1969, Stella Graham took a job in the cafeteria at JBSA-Fort Sam Houston. She must love it because she's been working there the last 47 years.
Friends tell KENS 5 she’s a San Antonio hero.
"Stella is a little lightning rod all over the place," said Nori Maldonado, who visits Graham up to four times a week.
"I go, 'Can I pick up your trays?' 'No, I'll take it, Stella.' 'No, I'm over here. I'll take it,'" said Graham, recalling some of the many conversations she has daily.
Inside Fort Sam Houston, The Exchange cafeteria is where many go to grab a bite.
"They come over here and they say to me, 'Boy I'll never forget the big pancakes,'" said Graham, recalling military members who returned from duty.
Even if they aren't hungry, regulars will stop by to visit Graham. To them, she is family.
"I just had surgery on my back and she called several times to see how I was doing," Rolando Maldonado said.
Graham adds that employees of all departments on base will give her hugs, and throw out "I love you's" on occasion.
"Everyone. Everyone," Graham said. "All of San Antonio knows me."
The 82-year-old has worked in Fort Sam’s food service department for 47 years. October 5 will be her 48th anniversary at the military base.
On top of her cooking and expert salad making, Graham takes pride in keeping the cafeteria in tip-top shape.
She works weekdays 5 a.m. to 2 p.m., but thanks to her training, the food court is clean 24/7.
"I said [to other employees], 'Make sure everything's filled up, the ice filled up, the floor is swept. You see how clean it looks? That's all you have to do," Graham said. "If I come the next day and something is wrong, they hear from me."
Her goal is 50 years serving the military base. She's honoring a commitment made years ago.
"I already promised the General, and nothing to do at home," she said. "It's just boring. I'm not the type to watch TV."
In her free time, Graham is with her family. If she's not cooking, she's cleaning one of her many dishes from her China cabinets.
Her visitors are also treated every now and then to her homemade tamales or baklava for dessert. Graham was born in Greece and made her way to the U.S. shortly after she married at age 22.
When Graham hits the 50-year mark, don't count on her to retire. As long as she can move, she'll be back to work the next day.
"I'm happy," she told us. "I'm just happy I'm still working."