Horace E. Stokes, Jr.

I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing. 2 Timothy 4:7-8

In His infinite wisdom and gentle grace, Almighty God reached down from Heaven and whispered ever so quietly to one of His children these words: “Come with me my Son for it’s time to go home” and so it was that Friday, March 11th, 2022, God closed the eyes of our beloved Horace surrounded by his family.

A Time to be Born… Horace Stokes was born October 20, 1946, in Meherrin Virginia to the Late Horace Sr. and Alice Sims Williams Stokes. He was the oldest of Horace children. Preceding him in death and welcoming him home: his mother and father, Horace, and Alice Stokes, one sister, Dorothy Hurt and two brothers, Robert, and Earnest Williams and one -sister-in law; Lorraine Williams.

A Time to Grow… Horace confessed his belief In Jesus Christ at an early age, was baptize and joined the Forest Baptist Church, Meherrin Virginia. For his formal education he attended Lunenburg County Public Schools. On many days you will find Horace working on old lawn mowers, rebuilding them, and filing power saw blades. He was an outdoors person and for many years he worked as a land survey lineman and worked in logging. Horace loved children and he loved life. Always saying something funny, sometimes not so funny, cutting a joke. He kept those hands busy working in his garden, sharing with everyone with pride, Lets not forget his guitar “old Lucille” playing his blues, sounding almost like the records. He loved his music and when things got a little rough, he would go off to himself and play his music.

A Time to Love… Horace began dating Pauline Watkins when she was a junior in high school. They were married on April 19, 1974. Out of this relationship and union they were blessed with three beautiful children. Horace Stokes III, Debora Stokes, and Lakisha Toney. Horace was a devoted husband and father. He loved his family and helped them out a lot. Horace loved his nieces and nephew. He had quite a few. They could always count on him to cook for them if they were hungry and He could make a meal out most anything.

A Time to Die… God saw the road was getting rough, And the hills were hard to climb, So He closed Horace weary eyelids, And whispered, “Peace be thine”. It broke our hearts to lose him, But he didn’t go alone, For part of us went with him, The day God called him home.

A Time to Mourn…. Horace leaves to carry on his legacy and cherish his beautiful memory: his devoted wife Rev. Pauline Watkins Stokes. Three loving children, Horace Stokes III (fiancés Jackie), Debora Stokes, and Lakisha Stokes Toney. Six adorable grandchildren; Kitalya Stokes, Destiny Berkley, Ivy Fitzgerald Stokes, Rihanna Stokes, Kalisha Toney, and Josiah Saunders. Two Great-grandchildren; Kasen and Khalani Berkley. One Godchild; Tamika Venable. Three sisters Alice Stokes (aka Polly), Annie Mae Stokes and Joanne Streat (Douglas) all of Meherrin Virginia. One brother, Joseph Stokes (aka Pumpkin) of Meherrin Virginia. Sister-in laws: Lizzie Williams (Ernest deceased) of Meherrin Virginia, Leola Bailey, and Wanda Roberts (Alphonso) of Meherrin Virginia, Lucretia Walker (Thomas) of Alabama. Brothers-in-laws; David Watkins (fiancés Chris), Adolph Watkins, Joseph Watkins (Gail), and James Watkins of Meherrin Virginia. Two Aunts; Mrs. Lorene Boyd of Jersey City and Mrs. Patricia Walton of Baltimore Maryland. A host of Loving nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends. Devoted friends: Mack Barnes, Randy Barns, Frank Stokes, John and Sherie Marken. His special helpers James, Adolph, and David Watkins.

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