John Aaron Stokes

SERVICES: SATURDAY, AUGUST 19, 201711:00 A.M.MCCLAIN-HAYS CHAPELVISITATION: FRIDAY, AUGUST 18, 20175:00-8:00 P.M. INTERMENT: COY METHODIST CEMETERYPRESTON, MSOFFICIATING: BRO. MATTHEW HITTBRO. BENNIE ALFORDBRO. RONNIE STOKESMr. Stokes, 72, of Newton County, died Wednesday, August 16, 2017, at Hilltop Manor in Union.  He was a native of the Coy Community in Kemper County.  He also resided in Columbus, Philadelphia and Little Rock, Mississippi.  Mr. Stokes served as a Sergeant in the U. S. Air Force spending a majority of his enlistment as an Administrative Specialist in the 66th TAC Recon Wing RAF Upper Heyford England during Vietnam.  He continued his service until 1971 with the U. S. Air Force Reserves.  He was a 1963 graduate of Neshoba Central High School and a 1974 graduate of Mississippi State University College of Business and Industry.  He was employed with Mitchell Engineering in Columbus, MS, prior to being self-employed as Owner/Operator of Stokes Stump Removal Services.  His favorite pastimes were fishing and guitar picking.  Survivors include his daughters, Cindy Stokes Daniels of Philadelphia, MS; Kimberly Stokes Story of Montgomery, AL, and Michelle Stokes Alfreds of Cumming, GA; seven grandchildren, three great-grandchildren; siblings, Jolene Clark and Oneal Stokes of Philadelphia; and several nieces and nephews. Mr. Stokes is preceded in death by his parents, Marshall Oneal Stokes and Helen Pickett Stokes-Brooks; stepfather, Jesse Brooks; brothers, George Denson and Kenneth Ray Stokes. Pallbearers are William Freeman, Kevin Stokes, Derrell Fulton, Everett Evans, Greg Cheatham and Alec Belvin.  Honorary pallbearers are Michael “Tiny” Clearman, Randy Evans, Dickie Williamson and Carson Alfreds.