Patricia Stanley

Patricia "Ann" Scruggs Stanley, 74, of Shelby, passed away unexpectedly, on December 26, 2025 after a health battle. But now, her work here is done, and her suffering is over. She went to be reunited with family and friends she has not seen in a long time.

She was born August 29, 1951 in Spartanburg, SC, the youngest daughter of the late William Thomas and Ruby Scruggs. She was a retired homemaker, who graciously served her Lord and loved her husband, her family, and her pets. Mother of 3, with 4 step kids she loved dearly. Ann was known to much of her family simply as "Grannymaw". She loved her kids and grandkids more than life itself. She had 27 grandchildren, and so many great-grands we've all lost count. They were her everything. She dedicated over 55 years to her husband, Richard, who was the one and only love of her life. She enjoyed trips to the mountains spent with him by her side.

She loved to sing, often writing her own songs, or playing the guitar for her grandkids, teaching them the sheer joy of music. She always knew how to bring a smile to someone's face with a silly song or a funny story. She treasured playing the bass at church and using her talent for the Lord. She had a love for life beyond compare, and material things meant nothing to her. Ann was a devoted wife, talented singer of songs, a perfectly imperfect mother, a loyal child of God, accomplished musician, fried food connoisseur, amazing Grannymaw, magnificent player of rummy and double solitaire, beautiful wearer of buns in her hair, an avid birthday party attendee, collector of frogs, mushrooms and furbies, expert scrabble player, a cherished sister-in-law, an incomparable mother-in-law, and very happily oblivious to the goings on of the world outside. She judged no one, and loved everyone, flaws and all.

Ann's memory is left to be cherished by her loving husband Richard, sister Ollie Garmon, children Phyllis Helms (Roy), Rob Forbes (Lynn), William Stanley (Angie), Belinda "Anne" Stanley-Averill (Mike), grandchildren Beth Davis, Jessica Fountain, Chris Fountain, Alex Fountain, Stephanie Forbes, Jessica Stanley, Thomas Stanley, Austin Stanley, Joann Stanley, Brooklyn Stanley, Richland "Bubba" Stanley, Sarah Icard, Stephanie "Scooter" Reali, Brittany "BrittBritt" Duncan, Tylor "TyTy" Mathis, Taylor "TayTay" Mathis, Kayla "KK" Mathis, Shaianne "Birdie" Richards, Alleyna "Bug" Ramsey, Nick Averill, Zack Averill, Chris Averill, Ashley Dixon, Justin Dixon, Brittany Whisnant, Nikklis Stanley, and Jordan Renner and many great grandchildren, nieces and nephews. We are in awe of how she had very little grey hair with all these descendants. She will be in our hearts and minds forever.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her sisters; Jeanette Cope, Linda Scruggs, Josephine Stoddard, Willie Mae Melton and Evelyn O'Neal, brothers; Clinton Scruggs, Eugene Scruggs, and Jerry 'Carroll' Scruggs, children; Chris Stanley, Cynthia Fountain, Beth Davis, special sisters-in-law; Dianne Wilson, Marsha Stanley and Shirley Scruggs,  grandchildren; Christian Stanley, and Autumn Stanley, great grandchildren Gemma Stanley, Peyton Mitchell, and Journee Reali. She is now in their presence, with hugs to give and songs to sing. What an amazing gathering that must be.

A funeral service will be held 1 pm on Monday January 5th at Greene Funeral Service - South Chapel - 1503 S. York Rd., Gastonia, NC, officiated by the Rev. Kevin Whittington. The family will receive friends 12-1 pm on Monday at the funeral home prior to the service. Pallbearers are Nik Stanley, Tylor Mathis, Frank Reali, Mike Averill, Matt Richards and Terry Ramsey with alternates Alfred Duncan, Christon Reali, and David Mathis. Interment will be at Gaston Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a fundraiser for Richard to pay final expenses: https://gofund.me/9de6022bd

Arrangements are with the South Chapel of Greene Funeral Service and Crematorium, Gastonia. Condolences may be shared online at: www.greenefuneral.com.