10/7/2009 6:00:00 PM COOK/Angie Stokes living out childhood dream
By LEAH TOLBERT Staff Reporter
A childhood dream of owning the big white house on the hill and caring for the numerous flowers that surround it came true five years ago when Angie Stokes married and purchased a home in the Waldo community.
On the way to visit her grandparents when she was a small girl, she always saw a woman outside this big white house caring for her roses and numerous flowers. To her, it was the most beautiful home with the most beautiful flower garden she'd ever seen.
It would not be until after she married Billy Stokes and her children were all grown that she would finally own the house.
Angie was employed at a small country store in the Hope community when she first met Billy, an electrician and plumber and who had a job in the area.
One day he visited the store to purchase a drink and the couple met. From that day forward, he began making trips from Philadelphia to Hope just visit Angie and get a Pepsi. They dated for three years before marrying.
"He is my best friend and soul mate and an extremely kind, sweet person," she said. "We do everything together whether it's shopping or just watching TV. We are always together."
Stokes has not always been as happy as she is now as someone very important to her was hurt by sexual abuse.
After going through dark, gloomy days, she became an advocate in educating children about sexual abuse.
"This is something I feel very strongly about," she said. "Children need to know so they will be able to speak about it and know they can tell someone. This causes hurt and damage that can never be repaired."
Stokes said she tries to help the people around her and inform them about this issue as much as possible. She also tries to help others that go through similar situations to let them know that having faith in God can help bring light back into life.
Knowing that each day is a blessing, and living life to the fullest while being positive is the best thing someone can do for himself or herself, she said.
Now, Stokes is happier than she has ever been, and she feels like things are just right.
She has a granddaughter, Maleah Ellis, 1, that she is constantly with and is expecting a grandson within the month.
She enjoys working in her yard, working as a secretary for Barnett Mechanical and Electrical, remodeling her 75-year-old house, attending New Bethel Baptist Church and working in her kitchen.
Angie has been able to cook large meals for her family since she was 12. The people who inspired her cooking skills have been grandmothers, Margarite Griffin and Ollie B. Lacie; Frank Manning; aunt, Bernice Goldman and mom, Barbara Campbell.
She said Manning was one of the best cooks she knew and together they cooked meals for her older siblings. Her mom taught her to cook very good fried chicken, she said.
Not only does Angie love to cook, she also enjoys baking. A favorite of her husband's is sweet onion rolls, which he could eat everyday.
Angie's children are Shane Burkes, 24; Zach Stokes, 21 and Nina Ellis, 18. Her father is Gerald Griffin and her grandfathers are Harold Goldman and Carner Griffin.
Cornbread Salad
1 box Jiffy cornbread mix- prepared according to directions
3/4 cups mayonnaise
1/3 cup sweet pickle juice
bell pepper, chopped
1 bunch green onions, chopped
1 can kidney beans with juice
1 pound bacon, fried and crumbled
tomatoes, chopped
Crumble cooked cornbread in the bottom of a casserole dish. Spread onions and bell pepper then kidney beans with juice. Mix mayonnaise and sweet pickle juice together and spread over the kidney beans. Add layer of bacon and top with tomatoes.
Cheesy Spinach and Bacon Dip
1 10 ounce frozen chopped spinach, thawed and drained
1 Velveeta cheese, chopped into cubes
1 4 ounce cream cheese, room temperature
1 can Rotel tomatoes
10 slices bacon, cooked crisp and crumbled
Combine ingredients in a microwave safe bowl. Microwave on high 4-5 minutes or until cheese is completely melted and mixture is well blended. Serve with tortilla chips.
Potato Soup
5 potatoes, peeled and cut into small pieces
1 large onion, peeled and chopped
1 small can pet milk
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 Velveeta cheese
1 stick butter
Cover potatoes and onions with water. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and cook until potatoes are tender. Add remaining ingredients and let simmer until cheese is melted, stirring often. Good served with crispy, fried bacon, crumbled and cornbread.
Hominy Casserole
2 cans white hominy, drained
1 can Rotel tomatoes
1 16 ounce mild sausage
1/2 Velveeta cheese, more if you like
Brown sausage, drain. Mix all ingredients together. Bake at 350 degrees until it reaches desired consistency and top is golden brown.
Billy Bread
(onion rolls)
18-20 yeast rolls, allow to rise
1 package dry onion soup mix
1 stick butter
1/2 pound cheese cubes (sugar cube size)
Cut yeast rolls into four pieces per roll. Melt stick of butter in shallow soup bowl. Stir in the onion soup mix and mix thoroughly.
Assemble: Take piece of dough and fold over the cheese cube to form into a ball. Place in the butter/soup mix and coat thoroughly. Put dough balls into a bundt pan. Bake in oven at 350 degrees for about 25 minutes. Will be very brown on top. Cool and pull apart to eat with your meal or just for a snack. These compliment the potato soup really well.
