Obituary for Damon Jr. Stokes
Damon Stokes, Jr., of Russellville, AR, the second youngest of nineteen children born to Damon Stokes and Lessie Dean Stokes, entered this life on June 15, 1926 on a farm between Atkins and Sweden Island. Preceding him in death were his parents; seventeen brothers and sisters, his wife, Anna Lattimore Crowder Stokes, and her son, William Eugene Crowder,Sr.
Damon accepted Christ at an early age and united with the family church, Allen Chapel A.M.E. where he was a faithful and supportive member. When his adopted son Zachary was about to be baptized, he asked his “Paw Paw” to join church with him. At Zachary’s urging, Damon united with New Prospect Missionary Baptist Church, where he remained an active, proud participant in the church’s many activities until his health failed.
Damon led a full and rewarding life, punctuated by travel, work, and dedication to those he came to know and love. A veteran of World War II, Damon joined the Army when he was seventeen; he served overseas with the 11th Infantry in the Philippines, later in Germany where he saw service as a member of the Military Police (MP). He received an Honorable Discharge from Company B, 25th Infantry Regiment on March 10, 1947. Serving in one of the country’s Black military units, Damon looked back objectively on both the value and the hardship of that service.
Returning to the United States, Damon was one of few people in Pope County who owned an automobile. He often commented on the freedom the car gave him as well as the opportunity it afforded him to meet new people. Among the people he met, were Anna Lattimore Crowder and her son, William Crowder (“Butch”). This relationship flourished, and he, Anna, and “Butch” became family. This union of forty-four years was a happy one.
A hard worker and a dedicated employee, Damon often said that although he was raised on a farm, he did not really like farming. In spite of this admission, Damon returned to the family farm and began what became a major farm operation; he had hogs, cattle, and food-producing gardens. In addition to his self-employment, he joined the Morton Food Plant operation, transitioning to Del Monte, and later to ConAgra. Collectively, he moved up the administrative ladder retiring in the position of Supervisor, having worked from 1965-1992. Former ConAgra employees often visited Damon upon seeing him at various places in Russellville, and they commented on his fairness and his expectations of their putting in an “honest day’s work,” which he, himself, did also.
Damon’s active life came to an end on September 20, 2015.
Left to cherish his memory are his sister, Birthia Stokes Bobo; his great grandson, Zachary Eugene Crowder Stokes, whom he and Anna later adopted as their son; a daughter-in-law, Marie Crowder; two grandsons, Lonnie Mitchell and Rev. William Eugene Crowder (Stephanie); one granddaughter, Audrey Hervey (Eric). Other immediate family survivors include Princess Lyons, Dallas Hervey, Vanessa Jefferson, Joy Canady, and Tony Jones. Surviving in his extended family are his sister-in-law, Lila Stokes; two nieces active in his immediate care: his custodial niece, Dr. Alice Hines, and Naomi Berry. They are supported by a host of Damon’s nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
Funeral services will be held 11:00 am, Saturday, September 26, 2015 at New Prospect Missionary Baptist Church, 316 S. Houston Pl, Russellville, AR. Interment Reed Cemetery in Russellville, AR. Visitation will be one hour prior to services.
Services entrusted to Larry G. Acklin Funeral Home, 910 Walnut Street, Conway, AR. "IN YOUR TIME OF NEED.... WE CARE."
VISITATION:
10:00 am, Saturday, Sept 26, 2015
New Prospect Missionary Baptist Church
316 S. Houston Pl/Russellville, AR
FUNERAL:
11:00 am, Saturday, Sept 26, 2015
New Prospect Missionary Baptist Church
316 S. Houston Pl/Russellville, AR
INTERMENT:
Reed Cemetery
Russellville, AR
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Damon accepted Christ at an early age and united with the family church, Allen Chapel A.M.E. where he was a faithful and supportive member. When his adopted son Zachary was about to be baptized, he asked his “Paw Paw” to join church with him. At Zachary’s urging, Damon united with New Prospect Missionary Baptist Church, where he remained an active, proud participant in the church’s many activities until his health failed.
Damon led a full and rewarding life, punctuated by travel, work, and dedication to those he came to know and love. A veteran of World War II, Damon joined the Army when he was seventeen; he served overseas with the 11th Infantry in the Philippines, later in Germany where he saw service as a member of the Military Police (MP). He received an Honorable Discharge from Company B, 25th Infantry Regiment on March 10, 1947. Serving in one of the country’s Black military units, Damon looked back objectively on both the value and the hardship of that service.
Returning to the United States, Damon was one of few people in Pope County who owned an automobile. He often commented on the freedom the car gave him as well as the opportunity it afforded him to meet new people. Among the people he met, were Anna Lattimore Crowder and her son, William Crowder (“Butch”). This relationship flourished, and he, Anna, and “Butch” became family. This union of forty-four years was a happy one.
A hard worker and a dedicated employee, Damon often said that although he was raised on a farm, he did not really like farming. In spite of this admission, Damon returned to the family farm and began what became a major farm operation; he had hogs, cattle, and food-producing gardens. In addition to his self-employment, he joined the Morton Food Plant operation, transitioning to Del Monte, and later to ConAgra. Collectively, he moved up the administrative ladder retiring in the position of Supervisor, having worked from 1965-1992. Former ConAgra employees often visited Damon upon seeing him at various places in Russellville, and they commented on his fairness and his expectations of their putting in an “honest day’s work,” which he, himself, did also.
Damon’s active life came to an end on September 20, 2015.
Left to cherish his memory are his sister, Birthia Stokes Bobo; his great grandson, Zachary Eugene Crowder Stokes, whom he and Anna later adopted as their son; a daughter-in-law, Marie Crowder; two grandsons, Lonnie Mitchell and Rev. William Eugene Crowder (Stephanie); one granddaughter, Audrey Hervey (Eric). Other immediate family survivors include Princess Lyons, Dallas Hervey, Vanessa Jefferson, Joy Canady, and Tony Jones. Surviving in his extended family are his sister-in-law, Lila Stokes; two nieces active in his immediate care: his custodial niece, Dr. Alice Hines, and Naomi Berry. They are supported by a host of Damon’s nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
Funeral services will be held 11:00 am, Saturday, September 26, 2015 at New Prospect Missionary Baptist Church, 316 S. Houston Pl, Russellville, AR. Interment Reed Cemetery in Russellville, AR. Visitation will be one hour prior to services.
Services entrusted to Larry G. Acklin Funeral Home, 910 Walnut Street, Conway, AR. "IN YOUR TIME OF NEED.... WE CARE."
VISITATION:
10:00 am, Saturday, Sept 26, 2015
New Prospect Missionary Baptist Church
316 S. Houston Pl/Russellville, AR
FUNERAL:
11:00 am, Saturday, Sept 26, 2015
New Prospect Missionary Baptist Church
316 S. Houston Pl/Russellville, AR
INTERMENT:
Reed Cemetery
Russellville, AR
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