STOKES OBITUARIES, Henry County, Missouri ==================================================================== STOKES, Howard 1924 - 1996 Howard Stokes, 71, Liberty, died Saturday, April 20, 1996, at Liberty Hospital. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, April 23, at Mt. Moriah Terrace Park Chapel. Visitation will be Tuesday from 7-9 p.m. He was born September 5, 1924, in Clinton. He was a member of the Liberty United Methodist Church and Local #239 of the United Auto Workers. He had been an inspector for Ford Motor Company at the Claycomo plant for 38 years, retiring in 1986. He served in the U.S. Navy during WW II. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Hazel Maxine Stokes, and a brother, Arthur W. Stokes. He is survived by his wife, Dorothy L. Stokes; three sons, James Stokes, Daniel Stokes and Mike Stokes; one daughter, Kelly Beard; one step-son, Willie Simpson; two sisters, Ida Richardson and Alma Waugh; one brother, Thurman Stokes; 16 grandchildren and one great- grandchild. STOKES, Walter Arthur 1914 - 1992 Walter A. Stokes, 78, 404 East Allen Street, died Thursday,k November 19, 1992, at Westwood. - Walter Arthur Stokes was born March 10, 1914 at Meta, Mo., and passed away November 19, 1992 at Westwood Nursing Home in Clinton. He was the son of Archie and Lidda (Seaton) Stokes. Walter grew to manhood with a deep love for the soil, and spent his happiest hours tilling the soil and watching God's miraculous hand at work, as the tiny seed sprouted, bore fruit, was harvested, and eventually must die. This, to Walter, was life. God takes the young baby, nurtures it until it sprouts into a person with personality and needs; eventually, it grows, and reaches adulthood; and ultimately, its peak. Then slowly it must reach the end of its journey. Today, Walter had reached that point. He has been plucked by the Master and is now enjoying the greatest harvest of all, in his Heavenly Home. When you realize how much farming meant to Walter, you can only guess how much more his country meant to him - for though he was a man who loved the land, his family, and his home, he was a man who didn't hesitate to answer his country's call - serving 38 months in the European Theater during World War II, and winning two bronze stars, a Good Conduct Medal, a Victory Medal, and numerous other medals for his heroic efforts on behalf of his country. It was here that he would win the most important victory of his life, for in a lonely foxhole amidst the sure and constant sound of gunfire and bombs bursting all around, Walter Arthur Stokes asked Jesus to come into his heart, and found peace while surrounded by the ravages of war. He was a man who came home from the war and found a job in the coal mine. During the ensuing years he worked hard, but the mine closed, and he returned to his beloved farming. These were the happiest days of his life. Later, he moved to Garland, where he lived for 35 years. Though he and his wife, Flossie, worked hard, they took great pride in their work, and their labor left them with a deep fulfillment. Our lives have been enriched by knowing and being a part of the life of Walter Arthur Stokes. Walter loved the land, and Walter loved God. We will never look out across the field or see a beautiful garden without remembering Walter. He will be missed sadly and remembered lovingly by his wife, Flossie, of the home; two brothers, Howard Stokes of Liberty, Thurman Stokes of New Orleans, Louisiana; two sisters, Mrs. Alma Waugh, Clinton, and Mrs. Ida Richardson of Cleveland, Mo. Also numerous nieces and nephews and a host of friends. Funeral services for Walter Arthur Stokes were held Saturday morning, November 21, at Sickman Dunning Funeral Home in Clinton, with Rev. Virgil Holden officiating. One Day at A Time, In The Garden and Amazing Grace were sung by Rev. Holden. Burial was in Englewood Cemetery, resting next to his mother and father. Pallbearers were Leland Honn, David Hueenfeldt, Kurtis Moore, Alfred Brunker, Arvel West and Rawleigh Crooks. ==================================================================== USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or for presentation by other persons or organizations. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for purposes other than stated above must obtain the written consent of the file contributor. This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by the Henry County MOGenWeb http://www.rootsweb.com/~mohenry/henryco.html Contact the Henry County Coordinator for comments or corrections. ====================================================================