Ralph R. Stokes age: 88 died: Monday, February 28, 2011

Ralph R. Stokes CHILHOWIE, Va. Ralph R. Stokes, 88, passed away Monday, Feb. 28, 2011, in the Smyth County Community Hospital. Ralph always stated that his greatest blessing was being born an American. He worked for the Farm Bureau for 33 years and had an award named for him, The Ralph Stokes Award, which is the most prestigious award to be obtained in the Farm Bureau Insurance Company. Ralph served in World War II, where he was a prisoner of war for nine months. He will be remembered by many as a local author who was also very active in his community. Ralph was a tireless supporter of many community and school activities. He loved helping the 4-H, whether he was contributing proceeds from the sale of his many great books or volunteering his time to contact citizens for their support. He was preceded in death by his wife, Gladys M. Stokes; parents, Ed and Chloe Stokes; and four brothers, Hensel, Roger, Edward, and Bill Stokes. Survivors include three brothers, Len, Landon, and Jim Stokes; two sisters, Peggy Banner and Ruth Creed; one brother-in-law, Albert and Dot McAllister; two sisters-in-law, Elizabeth Wells and Donna McAllister; special friends, Sue Parks McAllister, Donna Hamm, and Arthur "Nookie" Olinger; special care givers, niece-Debbie Lawson, Charlotte Jones, Nancy O'Quinn, Sherrie Henderson, and Sharon Williams; and several nieces and nephews also survive. Funeral services will be conducted at 1 p.m. Thursday, March 3 at Tate's Chapel United Methodist Church, Chilhowie with the Rev. Don Petty officiating. Burial will follow in the St. James Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, March 2 at Tate's Chapel United Methodist Church. Pallbearers will be Eddie Stokes, Bryan Stokes, Randy Lawson, Billy Lawson, Doug Armstrong, and Arthur "Nookie" Olinger. Honorary pallbearers will be Wayne Waddle, Arnold Mellinger, John Morgan, Harold Wilson and the Farm Bureau Insurance Employees. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Tate's Chapel United Methodist Church, 1780 Hwy. 107, Chilhowie, VA 24319. Arrangements by Williams Funeral Home, Chilhowie.

Published in Bristol Herald Courier on March 2, 2011

Ralph R. Stokes

Ralph R. Stokes, 88, of Chilhowie, passed away on Monday, February 28, 2011. Funeral 1 p.m. Thursday, March 3, 2011, at Tate's Chapel UMC, Chilhowie. Arrangements by Williams Funeral Home, Chilhowie.

Published in Roanoke Times on March 2, 2011

Jim Stokes emailed me about his brother Ralph passing away Monday, Feb.28.  Some of us remember playing checkers with Ralph at his home in Chilhowie, VA.  Ralph was a historian and authored several book on the WWII - Allies vs three Axis Powers (Germany, Japan, & Italy).  The Stokes are fine folks to visit and play checkers with.  All seven brothers were excellent checker players, particularly Len and Jim. We lost a gentleman and good friend, Ralph will definitely be missed by all who knew him.