“Mama” Ella Gray has been supplying Alexander City with good, old-fashioned soul food for two decades. And while her Southern specialties probably won’t make the cut for a hospital-approved diet, her fried chicken, greens with homemade pepper sauce, mashed potatoes and sweet tea can do wonders for the soul.

Mama Ella’s Country Kitchen was closed this week because “Miss Ella” was rushed from her restaurant to UAB Hospital on Thanksgiving Day. She was admitted to the hospital’s intensive care unit where she spent two days, and remained in the hospital until Tuesday, as doctors fought to control blood pressure problems caused by an aneurysm located near her heart.