Charles “Chuck” David Stokes, beloved husband and father, died suddenly July 23, 2024, after a brief illness. Through his family and illustrious career as a healthcare executive, his humility, mentorship, integrity, leadership, generosity and compassion will leave an immortal legacy.
Chuck was born on December 30, 1953, in Yazoo City, Mississippi. He received his Bachelor of Nursing from the University of Mississippi and his Master of Science in Hospital and Health Administration from the University of Alabama-Birmingham. Chuck began his 50-year career as a Critical Care Nurse at the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson, Mississippi. He would later go on to become Assistant Director of Nursing there, before entering graduate school. After he earned his Masters’ Degree, he returned to UMMC, beginning 44 years of health care administration in executive roles, he would serve at St. Luke’s Episcopal Hospital—Texas Heart, Houston; Schumpert Medical Center, Shreveport; St. Vincent Medical Center, Little Rock; Huntsville Hospital, Huntsville; North Mississippi Medical Center, Tupelo; and Memorial Hermann Health System, Houston. Chuck retired from there as President and CEO in 2019. Post-retirement Chuck would return to his alma mater as Interim Chair of the Department of Health Services Administration at UAB. While at UAB, he would serve for three years as Executive-In-Residence, mentoring many students with his lifetime of experience in the healthcare field.
Chuck was very active in the American College of Health Executives, serving as Chair from 2017-2018 and receiving the Gold Medal in 2019, recognizing his achievements and service to educating the next generation of healthcare leaders. He was also a two-time recipient of the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award for Health Care, the highest award presented by the United States Department of Commerce—first in 2006 at the North Mississippi Medical Center and then in 2018 at Memorial Hermann.
Throughout his career, Chuck would mentor many of the future leaders in health care. He was committed to encouraging their growth. He was committed to increasing the diversity of voices in health care, as he genuinely believed in bringing as many people to the table to get the best possible ideas of how to save lives and increase beneficial healthcare outcomes. He embodied and practiced the principles of servant leadership
Chuck was devoted to his family. He took time out for life events and vacations. He was not uncomfortable showing emotion and expressing the pride he felt in the accomplishments of his children. They have striven to emulate his spirit of integrity and giving back. He was also a man of great humor and loved to laugh.
Both professionally and personally, the common theme of Chuck’s life was making a difference. He approached all of his activities with a fair-mindedness and humility that touched the lives of everyone he met. He truly believed in servant leadership and no job was too small for him, driven by both his upbringing and strong spiritual faith. His family would often marvel at how he would run into someone he knew in the most random and remote places.
Chuck is survived by his beloved wife, Judy. August 5 would have been 41 years of blissful marriage. He is also survived by his sons, Neil Melancon (Sherry) of Baton Rouge, Joshua Stokes (Nour) of Washington, DC and Sidney Joel Stokes of Los Angeles; his sister, Arlene Patterson and brother, Billy Ray (Beverly). He was preceded in death by his parents, Ray and Bessie Stokes.
To those wishing to make a contribution in Chuck’s memory, your gift will make a difference. Memorial Hermann Heart Institute in Houston, Texas
(https://memorialhermann.org/services/specialties/heart-and-vascular/about/donate) or Huntsville Hospital Foundation
(https://www.huntsvillehospitalfoundation.org/get-involved/give-now) directing gifts to the Women’s Breast Center sub-acute waiting area were the charities Chuck favored.
A memorial service for Chuck will be held at a later date. The family wishes to thank everyone for their kind words of condolence and encouragement during this difficult time.
