By Jen Heger - Breaking Celebrity News Assistant Managing Editor

Two years before she filed a shocking lawsuit against Paula Deen and her brother Bubba Hiers alleging racism and sexual harassment, the former general manager of one of Deen's restaurants sent a letter to the queen of Southern cooking praising her for having "been given opportunities that I never thought possible, all because of you and Bubba," Breaking Celebrity News is exclusively reporting.

As we reported Lisa Jackson filed the lawsuit March 6 in Georgia against Paula Deen Enterprises, claiming a shocking pattern of alleged racism, including the use of the 'N word', sexual harassment and infliction of emotional distress and assault while working at Uncle Bubba's Oyster House.

DOCUMENTS: Read The Explosive Lawsuit Against Paula Deen Enterprises (WARNING OFFENSI