Gary Gene Stokes, 65, resident of Blue Mountain and lifelong Tippah Countian, passed away Thursday morning June 7, 2018 at North Mississippi Medical Center in Tupelo following a brief illness.
Funeral Services for Gary will be at 3 PM Saturday June 9 at Academy Baptist Church with long time friend Bro. Wayne Cobb officiating. He will be assisted by Gary’s cousin , Bro. Tommy Wilson. Burial will follow in Academy Cemetery. Arrangements will be provided by The Ripley Funeral Home.
Born July 4, 1952 in Ripley, he was the son of the late Eugene “Pop” and Lorene Wilson Stokes. Gary was a graduate of Blue Mountain High School and was married to Dorothy “Dotty” Lovvorn Stokes who preceded him in death August 1, 2017.
A member of Academy Baptist Church, Gary’s passion in life was farming and driving long distance trucks for companies that included Lane Heard Trucking Company of New Albany. He continued working and being active until his recent illness.
Gary will be remembered as an avid outdoorsman whose interest included hunting, fishing and backyard BBQ. He was richly blessed by the love of his family and many friends with his outgoing personality and will not soon be forgotten by those who knew him best.
Visitation for Gary will be Saturday from 11 AM until 3 PM at Academy Baptist Church.
Those left to honor his memory include his children, Jennifer Nance Byrd of Ashland, Bobby Gene Stokes (Connie) of Blue Mountain, a brother, Jackie (Polly) Stokes of Del Rio, TX, two step children, Teresa Stricklen (Mark) of Rienzi and Angela Hardin (Danny) of Pontotoc, seven grandchildren, Dakota (Monica) Stokes, Victoria (Myles) Whitten, Rebekkah Stokes, Jake Nance, Kaleb Nance , Kennedy and Cody Dye, two great grandchildren, Aiden and Braxton Stokes and a host of nieces and nephews.
Gary was also preceded in death by a brother, Steve Stokes.
The family request that memorials be directed to Academy Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, 2251 CR 700, Blue Mountain, MS 38610.
The Ripley Funeral Home is honored to serve the Stokes family
