Michael Leroy Stockton

Michael Leroy Stockton was born on September 13, 1950, to Frank and Rose Stockton. Michael was the third of their six children, and his siblings will tell you that he was known as the scrappy one. That willingness to fight served Michael well in his final year of life as he battled against a prolonged illness. On July 19, 2025, Michael went home to be with the Lord while in the care of Gilchrist Hospice. Michael was educated in the Baltimore City School System receiving education at Cherry Hill Elementary School and and Cherry Hill Junior High. Michael graduated from Douglas High School and continued his education in Baltimore at what was then Morgan State College. Michael carried with him a passion for art that he demonstrated as an art major at both Douglas and Morgan State. Michael shared his art with the world in the form of realistic portraits. Morgan State recognized his artistic gifts when they named him the most talented black artist in the area! Michael’s artistic expression was not limited to paint and canvas. Michael was a musician who played with several bands including Uncle Remus, Mellowmen, Black Ice, and Mirage. Michael’s bands recorded several CDs which his family keeps to this day. Michael held several jobs over the years with his longest-tenured job being employed by the Social Security Administration as a forklift operator for 18 years. He also found work as a long-distance truck driver, an employee at the Sun Paper, an employee of an assisted living facility, and as a neighborhood handyman. Michael’s illness eventually took a toll on his cognitive abilities. Despite this, Michael continued to tell jokes, quote movies, sing, and just talk with his family when they came to visit him. Michael even told stories of how he used to fly jet planes with only one day’s worth of training – although none of his siblings could confirm that one. More importantly, Michael told stories that served to sharpen the faith of those around him. Michael talked about seeing loved ones who have gone before him, and he spoke of a period of profound peace he experienced where he was no longer in pain. Of all the things that Michael’s illness took from him, his appetite was not one of them. Michael wanted to take advantage of every opportunity to have a good meal during his time in hospice. The one thing Michael’s illness could not take from him was his fighting spirit. Michael surprised even doctors and medical staff with his ability to bounce back from some of his lowest days in the hospital. Michael said the prayer of salvation and accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior. In his last days Michael requested “the old prayers, not the new prayers". His family understood that Michael only wanted God’s word in scripture. Often his family read The Lord’s Prayer and Psalm 23 – Michael’s favorite scripture – with him. Michael leaves behind three children: Michael Stockton, Tanya Stockton and Tiffany Connor (John), one grandson Brandon Wise, siblings Linda Harris (Steven), Jeffrey Stockton, Gregory Stockton (Pamela), Carol Brooks (Louis), nieces, nephews, cousins, and many more who loved him. Michael was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Rose Stockton as well as his brother Frank Stockton.

Tributes

Michael Leroy Stockton

September 13, 1950 - July 19, 2025