The heartbreaking story behind one of America's most inspirational McDonald's workers: How the tragic death of Nakeya Rich's son drives her to put a smile on the faces of others

An Alabama woman has become one of America's most inspirational workers as she strives to put a smile on the face of others after the tragic death of her eldest son. 

Nakeya Rich works at the drive-thru at the McDonald's in Dotham, where she greets customers with her infectious smile, positive energy and tells them to 'have a blessed day'.

They would never know her oldest child, Willis Rambo Dolson, 20, was recently shot dead in a harrowing case of mistaken identity.

The senseless killing in 2021 brought Rich to the lowest point in her life, telling News 4: 'Whew, I had to fight to keep myself, because man you can easily drown.'

But three years on, Rich has returned to work at the popular fast food chain as a way to honor her late son.

Speaking of her customers, she said: 'Even if I don't ever see them again, I still pray for them to be safe.'

Nakeya Rich works at the drive-thru at the McDonald's in Dotham, Alabama 

Rich's oldest child, Willis Rambo Dolson, 20, was shot dead in 2021, when two men intended to gun down someone else, along Morris Street in Dothan

Pictured: The McDonald's where Rich serves up smiles and love each day 

Rich has leaned on Wiregrass Angel House for help coping with the tragedy.

As a religious and spiritual person, she said she believes the only reason people go through things is so they can be able to help the next person.

Chase Bass, a McDonald's customer, was so impressed by Rich he nominated her for a 'What's Good' in your  neighborhood shout out. 

He described Rich's smile and warmth as a 'blast of sunlight' that comes through the drive-thru each day, and rolls down the window, BR Proud reported. 

Bass said he 'realized she touched a lot of people every day.

He added: 'Everybody knows who she is even though we may just be the people in the drive-thru.'

Rich said she wanted to start a Mc-Chain reaction of love, one drive-thru customer at a time, the news outlet reported. 

'Everybody is going through something,' she said. 'The thing is you never know what somebody is going through. You treat everybody the way you would like to be treated, not the way you expect to be treated. 

'I have folks that come through the drive-thru with a mad look, but when they get around the corner it's 'alright sweet pea, get some of that sweet tea and you'll be alright'.'

The working mom added that 'some days you're a life saver, literally you can be a lifesaver.'

'People are depressed. People hate their jobs. People have things going on,' she added. 

'It's just amazing that you never have to know what is going on to be able to uplift the next person. Then they can turn around and uplift the next person too.'

McDonald's customer Chase Bass nominated Rich for 'What's Good' in your neighborhood 

Two men, Kadarrius Salter and codefendant Christian D. McCallister, were  charged with her son's death. 

In October 2022, McCallister pleaded guilty to manslaughter, and is serving a 15-year prison sentence. Salter was sentenced to 20 years for the fatal shooting.