Written by Kelsey Vickers, intern with The Messenger

The Female Factor luncheon hosted a record crowd on Wednesday as Patricia “Sister Schubert” Barnes spoke to the ladies about the creation of her nationally distributed homemade rolls.

Barnes told the story of how her famous roll-making business got started, as well as her inspiration for the idea of her business.

“We’re all influenced by many things in our lives, and family is one of them,” Barnes said.

She spoke of how tradition gets passed on through family members throughout the years and how that was part of the inspiration of her business.

Barnes also talked about how her memories of college played a key factor.

“When I look back on memories of college when I attended Auburn University, I think of our motto for my sorority, Kappa Delta,” she shared.

The motto was, ‘Out of pure and simple beginnings grow great and wonderful things,’ according to Barnes.

“I do believe those words have always been a part of the inspiration behind me starting this business,” she said.

Her business began in 1989 as a small catering service called The Silver Spoon. Everyone raved about the rolls that she made using an old family recipe, so she began filling more orders until she created Sister Schubert’s Homemade Rolls in 1991 in Troy.

“I always baked my rolls fresh, and to this day every roll is still homemade with no preservatives,” she said.

After years of slowly gaining more attention for her rolls, her business is now a part of Lancaster Colony’s specialty foods division, with her and her husband George actively running the business.

“The idea of becoming a nationally-sold product has finally become real,” she said. “Because of this, we wanted to give back to people in communities who had done so much for us.”

Barnes said, five years ago, she was able to help restore an abandoned site in the Ukraine and turn it into apartments for families in the area. She then told a story about a trip she took to the Ukraine in 2004 when she adopted a child who was born with two clubbed feet.

“As soon as I looked at him, I knew that I had to help,” she said.

Barnes said, regardless of the multiple surgeries he underwent, doctors said the child would never be able to run and play sports. But, they underestimated his spirit.

“We’re happy to say that he’s doing great. He’s 11 years old now and he plays soccer, golf, and everything else he can,” she said. “He can do anything he wants to, because God is good.”

“To be able to help build a home for children and share my dreams is amazing. I feel so blessed,” she said. “And every day I try to share that blessing with everyone.”

Alice Hayes, of Troy, said she loved hearing Barnes speak.

“It was terrific. She had a great story to tell,” Hayes said. “To have this great opportunity and then to give back to the community is wonderful.”

The Female Factor is hosted by Troy Regional Medical Center and other sponsors, each month. For more information, call (334) 670-5487 or email femalefactor@troymedicalcenter.com.