Eight months later, Williams, 46, comes in upbeat most every weekday to the self-checkout, Vandal said."Don't let anybody steal your joy!" she tells fellow employees and customers. "It's going to be a great day!"

After a few months, Williams earned enough money to get her own apartment, and a customer helped her find one. Another customer, V.L. Williams, rallied Nashvillians on Facebook to donate furniture, decorations and clothes. With that kind of support, Williams said, it's easy to be enthusiastic about work.

"I was sleeping in a parking lot and looking for something to eat," she said. "Now, all my babies here love on me. No one abuses me, and no one calls me dumb and stupid. For the first time."