The Trifecta of Peanut Butter Patty
Deidra Bowling-Meade
The Ashland Beacon
To leave a lasting impression means you will never forget. Many of my fondest memories have a story with food. I love good food; however, the food I like the most is special due to who makes it, not the food itself. Chef Thomas Keller stated, “A recipe has no soul. You, as the cook, must bring soul to the recipe.” No one has more soul than Peanut Butter Patty, a.k.a, Patty Umberger Stanley, whose peanut butter fudge has been a staple to several members at Meade Station Church of God and other recipients across Boyd County.
Patty’s fudge is the perfect creamy texture with rich peanut butter, cut in perfect small cubes and placed on a glass plate ready for delivery. Patty delivers her fudge for church dinners, funerals, holidays, birthdays, illnesses, or just to put a smile on someone’s face. Her fudge is legendary to those who have had it before. As soon as someone sees it, he/she knows it’s Patty’s. Desserts will line a table, and I will eye the plate from afar. There’s no doubt I will need a piece of that fudge!
Patty always shared recipes with me when I first got married to make sure I could cook more than chicken. She would tease me often about my cooking skills. I would try Patty’s recipes such as her cheesy corn or her icey punch, but they were never as good as what she made. Some things just cannot be replicated. What’s more special than the taste of the Patty’s fudge and other dishes is how much love goes into it.
Patty can best be described as positive, powerful, and prayerful. Her infectious smile lights up the room and her funny wit always makes one giggle. She is a constant encouragement to others and never lets things get her down. She has lived her life always on the go with most of us trying to catch our breath to keep up. Whether it be cleaning, cooking, running errands, taking care of her family and friends, Patty selflessly works hard to make a difference.
Paula Shockey, who is one of Patty’s closest friends, shared, “Patty has given so much of her life for me by standing by my side when my husband died and taking care of me when my body was broken. We have shed many tears, laughs and prayers.”
Margaret Tucker, who has known Patty for over 40 years, described Patty as “someone who makes you a better person just by being around her. She is a friend to everyone, and no one is a stranger. I’m so blessed she picked me, a stranger, to be her friend.”
Above all, Patty’s Christian attitude and daily living are a witness to others. Patty was baptized April 11, 1965 at South Ashland Methodist. She rededicated her life and was baptized Mother’s Day on May 11, 1980 at Meade Station Church of God.
Margaret got to know Patty well through their time working at church. Margaret shared,
“Patty always said she was just a worker and not a leader. By being just a worker, she became a leader. She is one who is always there to help whenever there is a need, a job to be done, or a dinner to be prepared. She has always seen the best in people and goes out of her way to help anyone she can. Patty was there for me when tragedy struck my family. If we didn’t see one another, she would call and always told me she was praying for us. She sent me cards weekly, which meant so much to me.”
Patty’s life has been Christ-centered from raising her family to witnessing to others. Countless examples come to mind of her positive outlook, prayerful heart, and power that can only be found in God. She was constantly praying for her husband, Jim Stanley, to be saved. There was so much celebrating when Jim finally accepted Christ as his savior in March of 2015. Patty’s faithfulness and prayerful spirit make her a witness to those around her.
Patty suffered a seizure this summer and was rushed to the hospital. She was soon diagnosed with a brain tumor and had two surgeries within a month due to a second tumor being found. When others would have seen only the negative, Patty’s response was one of praise. Patty shared, “God has been with me every step of the way. Had it not been for me having that seizure, the tumor wouldn’t have been found. God didn’t want me to have to wait any longer for a second surgery.” In August, Patty was told she had lymphoma of the brain. Despite this diagnosis, Patty stayed strong in the Lord.
Her emotions were intensified from the surgery and treatment. Patty was actually more outspoken about her faith than ever before. Even after her brain surgery and during her chemo treatments, she was writing cards to others facing struggles and encouraging them. She attended church the few Sundays she could and would testify of God’s goodness to allow her to be able to attend. She proudly wore to church the bonnet her friend Paula Shockey had made for her with a ribbon that read, “God Will Make a Way.”
Patty found comfort through listening to Christian music. “God Will Make a Way,” by Don Moen is her favorite. Some of the lyrics written include,
“God will make a way
Where there seems to be no way
He works in ways we cannot see
He will make a way for me
He will be my guide
Hold me closely to His side
With love and strength for each new day
He will make a way.”
While lying in her hospital bed, Patty would let the words to the music soothe her soul. She would gently lift her hand to offer her praise.Patty has suffered highs and lows on this journey. In just the last five months, Patty has not only had her cancer to battle, but also the rupture of her colon, continuous tremors of her body and Covid. Patty told her husband Jim, “I want to go home.” She is now resting in the comfort of home waiting for her heavenly home. This is a difficult time for her family and friends as well as hard to understand. Patty’s fight is not in vain. Her body is getting weaker, but her soul has not left her. Patty embodies the trifecta of being positive, powerful, and prayerful. More importantly, she has the Father, Son and Holy Spirit in her corner. She has the promise of eternity.
In his powerful speech after receiving a cancer diagnosis, American Sports Commentator Stuart Scott wisely stated, "When you die, it does not mean that you lose to cancer. You beat cancer by how you live, why you live, and in the manner in which you live." Without a doubt, Patty beat cancer. She lives her life as an inspiration to others as she praises God even through her terminal cancer battle. She loves–she gives–she encourages–she serves– she prays. Patty does it all in honor and praise for the Lord.
Patty has always been a strong supporter of my writing and loves reading my articles in the Ashland Beacon. I wanted to honor her with her own article. She is a dear friend who will leave a lasting impression on me. Thank you Patty Umberger Stanley for making a difference in the lives of others who have crossed your path. May we all strive to have the soul of Peanut Butter Patty, whose “soul is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness.” Let’s all remember to stay the course and finish the race.
