James Stokes

MORLEY, Mo. -- James Archie Stokes, 77, died Sunday, Feb. 17, 2002, following a brief illness.

He was born March 9, 1924, in Ratliff, Miss., son of the late Earl and Rachel Jackson Stokes.

He served in the U.S. Navy in the Pacific theater during World War II on an aircraft carrier, the USS Hornet. He then served in the U.S. Air Force, retiring as a senior master sergeant after 25 years of service.

He was a member of Veterans of Foreign Wars for the past 25 years. After retiring from the Air Force, he had served as a senior machinist with the Tennessee Valley Authority's Allen Steam Plant in Memphis, Tenn., retiring after 20 years and moving to Missouri where he became an avid gardener.

Mr. Stokes leaves a son, Dwight A. Stokes of Denver, Colo.; two daughters, Dana L. Pritchard of Southaven, Miss., and Doris R. Kirby of Memphis; one uncle, Curtis Jackson of Morley; one aunt, Pauline Whitehead of Antioch, Ill.; five grandchildren; one great-granddaughter and several cousins.

One son, James Douglas Stokes, was killed in action in Vietnam.

Friends may call Tuesday, Feb. 19, from 5 to 8 p.m. at Ponder Funeral Home in Sikeston, Mo., where funeral services are scheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 20 at 3 p.m. The Rev. J.D. McClard, pastor of Hooe Missionary Baptist Church, will officiate.

Interment will follow in the New Morley Cemetery will full military honors.