Miriam L. Stokes

MIRIAM LORRAINE (BURNS) STOKES was on May 27, 1919, in Baltimore, Maryland. She was the oldest child born to the late Manning and Lucinda Tompkins Burns. She was a lifelong resident of Baltimore, and would often share with others that she was born in Johns Hopkins Hospital. Miriam accepted the Lord as her Savior at an early age and joined Faith Baptist Church. She was a lifelong member of Faith, after joining at the age of eleven. She spent her life in faithful Christian service and told anyone she came across, “always pray.” Miriam married William E. Stokes in 1937. From this union two children were born, Miriam Marlene and William Manning. Miriam received her high school diploma from Frederick Douglass High School and continued her education at Coppin Teachers College (now Coppin State University), where she received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education. There she was active in the Dramatic Club, Women’s League, Travel Club, Future Teachers of America, and the Choral Society. She began her professional career as a grade school teacher in the Baltimore city Public School System. She went on to work for the State of Maryland, at the Maryland State Employment Agency (now Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation) as a job placement counselor. She found great joy in helping members of the community, family and friends to find jobs. She retired in 1984. Miriam most enjoyed spending time with her family. Family gatherings with the Burns and Stokes families were always filled with laughter, joy and many stories, and Miriam was always right there to share. She was very active in her church, singing on various choirs, and was a member of the Courtesy Guild, the Women’s League, the Golden Age Club, just to name a few. She was honored earlier this year for eighty years of service to Faith Baptist Church. Miriam loved to sing. In addition to the church choirs she also sang with the Women’s Convention Auxiliary to the United Baptist Missionary Convention of Maryland, National Baptist Convention Mass Choir, Lott Carey foreign Mission Coir and the Reunion Choir of Baltimore. Miriam also loved to travel. She often retreated with the United Christian Ashram at Keuka College. She also traveled with the Lott Carey Mission Convention, the National Baptist Congress, various travel groups and clubs, family and friends. Her travel took her many places, including Korea, Africa, Canada, the Caribbean, Alaska, Hawaii, and throughout the United States. Miriam lived a long healthy life, never burdened with illness. She’d seen more in a lifetime than most living through the Roaring 20’s, the Great depression, two world wars, the Civil rights Movement, and she was ecstatic to see the nation’s first African American President. She was very proud to be a homeowner during a time when it was very difficult for people of color to purchase homes in East Baltimore. One might say that the loss of both of her children, within six months, left her heartbroken. Her children were the light of her world. She was so very proud of them and loved them dearly- her Marlene and her Bunky. Nonetheless, she continued through her grief to enjoy her family for just a little while longer. Miriam peacefully departed this life on December 11, 2010. Miriam is survived by: her granddaughter, Miriam; her grandson, William Jr.; her four great-grandchildren, David, Maurice, Maurissa, and Madison; three sisters, Mozelle Guinn, Alzie Berry (Moses), and Ethel Burns; her devoted daughter-in-law, Evelyn Stokes; and son-in-law, Charles Mason; two sisters-in-law, Mary Burns and Dolores Burns; her goddaughter, Paul Burns; her church family; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. She was predeceased by her beloved children, William Manning Stokes, Sr. and Miriam Marlene Mason, who both died in 20041; her two brothers, Manning Burns, Jr. and Wilbert Burns, Sr. and an infant sister, Dolores. Today, we bid farewell to our beloved matriarch. Sleep on a take your rest, we loved you, but God loved you best.

Tributes

Miriam L. Stokes

May 27, 1919 - December 11, 2010