Mrs. Mary Lou Stokes passed away Wednesday, February 22, 2012, at Plantation Point surrounded by her loving family. Funeral services for Mrs. Stokes will be held at 2:00 Saturday afternoon at Pleasant Hill Baptist Church. Visitation will begin one hour prior to services at the church. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Gunter & Peel Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Reverend Tommy Whaley, Reverend Nick Cannady and Reverend David Honeycutt will officiate. Mrs. Stokes was born in Gordo, AL on November 3, 1917. She was preceded in death by her husband of sixty years, Denmon L. Stokes. She is survived by her sons, Dale Stokes (Theresia Altinger) of Falls Church, Virginia, Larry Stokes of Williamsport, Pennsylvania, daughters, Jane Eaton (Bobby) of Ethelsvllle, Alabama and Kathy Clark (Tim) of Louisville, Mississippi. Her grandchildren include Angie Beatty, Jason Junkin, Jennifer Henry, Beau Taylor, Kenneth Taylor, and Crystal Graves. Great grandchildren are Kayla Tate, Cole Henry, Brooklyn Henry, Josiah Graves, Zoe Graves, Russ Taylor and a new great grandson to be born in May. Mrs. Stokes is also survived by her brother, Burra Clinton Junkin, and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Harvey and Lovie Bell Sullivan Junkin, a brother, Nathan Junkin, sisters Bertha Bryant, Zelma Junkin and Virgie B. Gee. Mrs. Stokes began her professional career at Bryce Hospital in Tuscaloosa, AL where she served as a Nursing Supervisor and was chosen Most Beautiful Nurse. After moving to Columbus, she was employed at United Technologies for a number of years. With her sweet, compassionate personality, Mrs. Stokes was nurturing to her husband, children and grandchildren. With her culinary skills, she enjoyed sharing delicious homemade delicacies with many neighbors and friends. As a faithful member of Pleasant Hill Baptist Church, Mrs. Stokes would often host the pastor and his family for meals in her home and include the guest evangelical revival team as well. Many times these revival teams or families stayed as guests for the entire two week revival services. Mrs. Stokes had served as a Children's Discipleship Training teacher and Secretary/Treasurer of both her ladies Sunday school class and the Rural Hill Homemakers Club. She often served as a hostess in her home for the youth department socials. Mrs. Stokes spent many enjoyable hours in her flower and vegetable gardens, maintaining a beautiful yard and sharing flowers and fresh vegetables with others. Often at the Lowndes County Fair she won many blue ribbons for her beautiful flower arrangements, fresh and canned vegetables, jellies and fine needlework. As a gifted seamstress, she made clothes for herself, daughters and granddaughters. Her beautiful quilts and needlework are family heirlooms. Pallbearers will be Steve Stokes, Barry Honeycutt, Jerry Gee, Beau Taylor, Kenneth Taylor and Jason Junkins. Honorary pallbearers will be Elmo Gladden, David Sansing, Lawrence Atkinson, Clayton James, Charles Delk, Richard Junkin, Herbert Junkin, Kenneth Oglesby, Walt Long and friends of Pleasant Hill Baptist Church and her beloved neighbors of the Rural Hill Community. The family wishes to thank Dr. Adeline Henderson, the nurses, CNA's, and staff that we learned to love at Plantation Point in Columbus, MS. We also offer our special thanks to the nurses and staff of Hospice. To each individual that took time to stop and say hello and the residents that we came to love, thank you. Your caring and loving attitude made such a difference. Thank each of you for having such a sweet spirit. Memorials may be made to the donor's favorite charity.
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