Charles Evans Stokes (Charlie)

Charles Evans Stokes (Charlie), 86, of Valdosta, died peacefully at his home on Tuesday, September 24, 2019 with his beloved daughter and grandson by his side. He was born on September 17, 1933 in the rural south Alabama town of Slocumb, to the late Louie M. and Mattie Mae Stuart Stokes. Mr. Stokes grew up alongside his parents and siblings, working the family’s south Alabama farm with mule and plow. Upon turning eighteen years of age he joined the United States Air Force where he completed basic training and was immediately deployed to South Korea to serve in the Korean War. After returning home from the war, he met his wife of 64 years, Margie (Sue) Stokes. Sue later gave birth in 1958 to a beautiful baby girl named Debbie that her daddy loved dearly. During Mr. Stokes 20 years of military service in the U.S. Air Force, he had deployments to Hong Kong, Saudi Arabia, and numerous other European Countries. In addition to these deployments, he left his family behind for an extended period to fight in the Vietnam War. Upon returning home from Vietnam, he retired from the U.S. Air Force with 20 years of honorable service to his country. After active military retirement, he entered into the United States Civil Service and continued his work in Air Force Supply. It was in 1996 that he received the United States Air Force Civilian of the Year Award amongst the entire United States Air Force nationwide for his outstanding contributions and dedicated service to his country. He retired completely in 1999 as a 100% disabled Veteran. Mr. Stokes loved his family, sports and the outdoors. He was an avid Valdosta Wildcat and Alabama Crimson Tide fan. Over the years he raised and trained many, many, bird dogs, some of which he would say trained him and taught him how to hunt. He was thought to be one of the best basketball players in the U.S. Air Force at the time, traveling base to base winning championship after championship. He had some of his best times and memories coaching little league basketball and baseball with the Valdosta Boy’s and Girl’s Club. This is where he became a role model and mentor for many young boys. His continued involvement and dedication to the community led him to being inducted into the Boy’s and Girl’s Club Hall of Fame. Mr. Stokes had a special son in law, Randy that he was very proud of and considered to be his own. He and his only grandchild, Travis had a special best friend/father and son relationship that will live on forever. In addition, he had a special nephew, Joseph Jones who he spent a lot of time with and closely mentored. He took very, very, good care of his family and loved each of them dearly. Mr. Stokes was truly one of a kind person and a born again Christian.
He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Sue Stokes; his daughter and son-in-law, Debbie and Randy Hill, and his grandson, Travis Hill all of Valdosta; his sister, Mae Nell Smith of Hartford, Alabama; a sister-in-law, Jean Orton of Valdosta, along with numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, a sister, Maureen Thomas, and a brother, Myrus Rale Stokes.
Services for Charles Evans Stokes will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, September 28, 2019 at the Carson McLane Funeral Home with Rev. Mike Nelligan officiating. A special military service will follow in the McLane Riverview Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends from 12 p.m. until service time at 2 p.m. on Saturday at the funeral home. Condolences to the family may be conveyed online at www.mclanecares.com. Carson McLane.