Ethel Mary Stokes went home to be with the Lord peacefully on October 1, 2021. Ethel Mary (Dixon) Stokes was born June 18, 1933, in Goodwater, Alabama to the late Odean Virginia Dixon-Bradley and Dewey Munn. She was raised by her grandmother, Sudie Dixon, who affectionately called her Mary.

At age 13, Mary relocated, along with her brother, to join her mother in Lansing, Michigan. She graduated from J.W. Sexton High School at the tender age of 16 and went on to attend Lansing Community College, where she would later receive her associate's degree in the Secretarial Sciences in 1979. Mary worked for the State of Michigan for more than 40 years, spending most of her time at the Michigan Commission for the Blind where she was an exemplary employee. During her tenure, she was named Executive Assistant of the Year.

Mary had an abiding and unshakable faith. She accepted Christ at an early age and was baptized at the Mount Olive Baptist Church, in Goodwater, Alabama. Once she relocated to Michigan, she became a member of the Friendship Baptist Church where she was a beloved member for more than 60 years. She served as an usher the majority of her tenure at Friendship Baptist but also served in capacities such as Church Secretary, Church Clerk, Mission Society, and Liturgical Dance Team Member. She continued this faithful service as she transitioned to Friendship House of Prayer. She loved her former Pastors, the late Rev. Dr. Lester D. Stone and the late Rev. David Ford, dearly.

Mary married Paul Alvin Stokes, and to that union was born three children: Sharon Lynette Stokes (Lansing), Timothy Ray (Tanya) Stokes (Flint), and Paula Lorraine Stokes-Hubbert (Lansing). Mary was the definition of love in action as she looked after and cared for her children and grandchildren even to the very end.

Mary loved to travel, was an avid golfer, and member of the Lansing Christian Golf League. She was a faithful attendee of the Dixon, Crayton Brown Family Reunion and looked forward to attending every year. She loved taking trips with friend Mrs. Thelma Steed and first cousin Irene Sturdivant and family. She was a lifelong learner who loved reading and was a role model for higher education. Mary was also a member of the local NAACP chapter as well as the Negro Women's Business League who recognized her service to her local church community. She was known to her community and family as a sharp dresser, exceptional seamstress, and an amazing cook (co-hosting and hosting the holiday family meals for decades).

When asked about her philosophy on life, she once said she wanted "to be the best person that I can be, to honor the Lord, and try to live at peace with my fellow man."

Mary was preceded in death by: her mother, Odean Virginia Dixon-Bradley; father, Dewey Munn; beloved step-father, William "Bill" Bradley; and her former husband, Paul Alvin Stokes.

She leaves to cherish her memory: her daughter, Sharon Stokes; son and daughter-in-love, Timothy & Tanya Stokes; and youngest daughter, Paula Stokes-Hubbert. Grandchildren, Robert Fronta, Marquise Brooks, Brendon Stokes, Ricky Hubbert II, only granddaughter Amber Stokes, and grandsons Emmanuel Stokes and Timothy Stokes II. Six great-grandchildren, Marquise Brooks, Jr., Ri'kyiah Hubbert, Rouya Hubbert, Zion Hubbert and Ramora Brielle Hubbert. Brother, Preston (Brenda) Dixon; sister, Harriet Bradley; special sister-like cousins, Irene Sturdivant, Bessie Beasely, Ruth Varner and Florene Logan; special friend, Marion Scott; nieces, nephews, and a host of other family members and friends.

Ethel Mary Stokes was the matriarch of the Stokes family and we will miss her dearly.

Her legacy lives on.

Arrangements for Ms. Stokes are as follows: