James Edward Stokes

JAMES EDWARD “BUCK” STOKES, beloved son of the late Edward and Marguerite Smith Stokes, was born on May 17, 1927 in Baltimore, Maryland. He departed this life on November 14, 2012, after a full and beautiful life. Buck, as he was fondly called by family and friends, was educated in the Baltimore City Public School System, graduating from Frederick Douglass Senior High School in 1945. Upon graduation, Buck joined the United Stated Air Force in 1945 where he served in World War II and became one of the Air Force’s first African-American dental technicians. During his time in the Air Force, he received the Good Conduct, American Theater Service, and World War II Victory Medals. After being discharged in 1946, James returned to Baltimore where he worked as a dental technician at Gordon’s Dental Lab on Mulberry Street. In 1965, he began his career with the Veterans Administration at the VA Hospital in Washington DC as the Supervisor of the Dental Lab until his retirement in 1992. James developed a reputation as an exceptional dental technician and was solicited by many Howard University dental students to assist them with passing the portion of the dental exam regarding false teeth formation. He was so devoted to providing for his family that, for many years, while working as a dental technician, he also served as a cab driver for Baltimore city to provide supplemental income for his family. In 1951 he met the love of his life, Evelyn Cynthia Lassiter, whom he and others affectionately called “Baby Girl”. On February 21, 1953, they settled into the Rosemont Neighborhood of West Baltimore where they lived for fifty-eight years. God blessed this union to survive just three months short of sixty years. Their union was blessed with two daughters, Chris and Maria. In March 2011, James and Cynthia moved to the Charlestown Retirement Community where he was happy relaxed and enjoyed the fruit of his labor! Having been raised in a Christian home, James was a devout Christian who, along with his loving wife, instilled those values in his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. For thirty years he was a dedicated member of Brown’s Memorial Baptist Church, serving first as an usher, a member of the Senior Choir and Men’s Chorus, a member of the Willing Workers, chairman of the Trustee Board, and then as an ordained Deacon. James loved to sing, often singing solos at Brown’s Memorial: “If I can help Somebody”, “What A Blessing In Jesus I’ve Found”, “It’s My Desire”, “I Asked The Lord”, “He Touched Me”, “I’ll Walk With God” and “He”. Later, he joined Whitestone Baptist Church, where he also served as a Deacon and a member of the Men’s Choir. In 1998, he and Cynthia joined Douglas Memorial Community Church, his final church home. Although age and health limited his participation in church activities, he enjoyed regularly attending noon Bible Study, and being a member of the Samaritans and the J.O.Y. Seniors. You could always count on seeing him sitting at the end of the pew, halfway up the center aisle for Sunday service! James was a true gentleman who deeply loved God, family, and Church. James was an extremely proud grandfather and great-grandfather. He especially enjoyed the time spent with family throughout the week, on holidays and at special family gatherings. James was preceded in death by his brothers, Charles Stokes and Arthur Stokes; and two sisters, Henrietta Bradford and Dorothy Lunn. James leaves to cherish his memory: his loving and devoted wife, Evelyn Cynthia Stokes; two caring daughters, Chris Cephas and Maria Stokes; one son-in-law, Charles Cephas, Jr.; four grandsons, Brandon, Christopher (Tygerian), Jonathan and Charles Wesley; two great-grandchildren, Skyler and Mason; one sister, Helen Augins; one brother, Walter “Ronnie” Stokes; five sisters-in-law, Dorothy Stokes, Shirley Stokes, Mary Jane Stokes, Verlean Watford, and Shirley Gordon; two brothers-in-law, George Augins and Edward “Heavy” Taylor; a devoted friend, Walter Bedford; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Tributes

James Edward Stokes

May 17, 1927 - November 14, 2012