LINCOLN, Neb. (KOLN) – Marlina Bowdery’s life was turned upside down when her son Timothy Wallace was shot and killed outside a bar on O Street in March 2020.

Before that, he ran a successful restaurant and Timothy was involved in running the restaurant.

Since food is an important part of their relationship, Marline remembers her son down to the last meal he fed her. And since his death, she says, cooking has been a trigger for her.

Until I decided to pursue the passion in a different way.

“Four and a half years later, I wanted to honor him,” Bowdery said. “I heard my sons’ voices telling me, ‘Mom, don’t give up.’ You must continue.”

And he continued. She has now turned the restaurant into a food truck called “M & J’s Southern Style Food,” which she runs with her husband.

Just like its previous restaurant, the truck specializes in southern dishes.

“We cook fried chicken, homemade macaroni and cheese, greens, everything,” Bowdery said.

Bowdery says she was someone who helped her mother as much as she could before her son was killed.

Now he can be with her in a different way, with his picture next to the truck.

“This place makes me feel like he’s there,” he said. “He’s here with me, so I can take him with me.”

It’s not just spiritual cooking anymore; cooking for the souls of others.

“I help grieving mothers,” Bowdery said. “Helping them deal with and cope with their pain.”

His son is with him.

“Whenever I feel like I can’t move on with my life, my biggest source of motivation is my son,” he said. “I hear your voice telling me to keep going.”

The food truck will be open 3 to 4 days a week and will be located mostly off 27th and Orchard Streets. Their menu changes daily, so you can follow the truck on Facebook to stay up to date. M&J’s Southern Style Food.

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