DONALD WAYNE STOKES SR.
March 10, 1952-July 17, 2012
"As you have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving." Colossians 2: 6-7.
GRIFTON -- The stronger the winds, the deeper the roots and the longer the winds, the more beautiful the tree. Growing strong in the seasons of life, Donald is now walking with Jesus in heaven and has been welcomed by his parents, Frank Donald and Christine Bowen Stokes; daughter, Donielle Renea Stokes; father-in-law, Duncan Harold Upchurch; nephew, Timothy Neill Cameron Jr.; and countless other friends and family.
He is survived by his wife of 23 years, Amy Cameron Stokes of their home in Grifton; son, Donald Wayne Stokes Jr. and wife, Tammy; daughter, Gwendolyn Dawn Stokes each of Goldsboro; daughter, Angela Stokes Towne and husband, Josh, of Henderson; six grandsons, Chris Stokes of Goldsboro, C.J. Creech of Kenly, Braxton Kornegay and Brayden Stokes of Goldsboro and Caleb and Andrew Towne of Henderson; brother, Jerry Stokes and wife, Tammy, of Nashville, Ga.; mother-in-law and caregiver, Thelma Cameron of Broadway; brothers-in-law, Jeff Cameron and his wife, Connie, and Timmy Cameron and wife, Donna, both of Broadway; three nephews, Jordan and Casey Stokes of Nashville, Ga., and Duncan Cameron of Sanford; and two nieces, Ashley Cameron of Cary and Morgan Cameron of Broadway.
He was employed at DuPont for 18 years, retiring in 1990.
After retirement, Donald spent his life serving God through service at Little Creek Original Free Will Baptist Church for almost 20 years. He served as Sunday school superintendent for 12 years, and was president and secretary of the Laymen's League, co-youth director, a deacon and a member of the choir.
Donald shared his musical talent in a rest home ministry with his wife for more than six years, and sang at many church activities, including senior groups at many area churches in the Ayden community.
The family would like to thank all the wonderful doctors and nurses who have been so compassionate during Donald's fight with cancer.
Thank you to Viadent Hospice for the care you have provided and for the support you have given during this time.
A special thank you goes to our preacher, Phil Wood, and our Little Creek Original Free Will Baptist Church family for their love and support. All prayers and support from all our family and friends, and even some strangers, have been a blessing during this entire journey.
A celebration of the life of Donald Wayne Stokes Sr. will be held Sunday, July 22, at 3 p.m. in the afternoon at Little Creek Original Free Will Baptist Church in the Scuffleton community, with visitation to follow in the church fellowship hall.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Donald Stokes Memorial Fund at Little Creek Original Free Will Baptist Church, 4235 Holly St., Ayden, N.C., 28513.
(Pd)
Published in Obituaries on July 19, 2012 5:01 PM