Henry Stokes

Henry Stokes was born on June 20, 1942 to Bessie Stokes and Oliver Wiggins in New Orleans, Louisiana. He went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, November 25, 2009, at the age of 67. A long time resident of El Paso, he proudly served his country for 26 years, he was also a Veteran of the Vietnam War. After his military retirement, he worked for EPISD as a middle school substitute teacher for 13 years and was Court Liaison at Delta Academy for 7 years. He was committed to making a difference in the lives of those he touched. He served on various committees throughout the city: Youth Sports Director at the NE YWCA, Summer Youth Supervisor for the Pre-Delinquent, El Paso Park & Recreations Youth Football & Basketball Coach, PTA President & Vice President at H E Charles Middle School, and Member of the Campus Improvement Planning Committee. He chaired the Community Youth Development for Zip Code 79924 & Freedom Fund for the NAACP El Paso Branch. He was 2nd Vice Chair of EPISD Bond Ad-Hoc Accountability Committee & NAACP El Paso Branch; and co-chaired EPISD Strategic Planning Committee, FBI Citizens Academy - El Paso Division, NE Regional Command Center Advisory Group EPPD, Board of Directors Crime Stoppers of El Paso, El Paso County Attorney Anti Graffiti Committee, Chair & Vice Chair of El Paso Parks & Recreation Advisory Board, Life Member of VFW Post 2451, NAACP Silver Life Member; Member of Prince Hall 33rd? Mason, El Paso United States Bowling Congress, and American Legion Post 0832. He was also an active associate of the Buffalo Soldiers. He is preceded in death by his parents; brother, Rickey Stokes and sister, Janice Stokes. He is survived by his devoted wife of 44 years, Effie Gray Stokes; daughters, Melissa Dilworth of Corpus Christi and Monica Scarborough (Mason) of Virginia; and son, Eric Stokes of El Paso. Four sisters, Gale Wells of Georgia; Laureen Stokes of Mississippi; Barbara Anderson and Sandra Stokes and three brothers, Oliver Stokes, Idell Wallace and Jerome Wallace all of New Orleans; Nine grandchildren, Alex & Ashley Darley, Gregory & Devon Richmond, Joseph Scarborough, Andrew & Aaron Dilworth, Amaya & A’Marley Stokes and two great grandchildren Aaliyah Smith-Darley & Amayziin Darley, a host of nieces and nephews, students, colleagues and life long friends. Visitation will be from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm, Wednesday, December 2, 2009, at Sunset Funeral Home – Northeast with words of expression beginning at 7:00 pm. Funeral services will be held Thursday, December 3, 2009 at 11;15 am at Sage Hall – Fort Bliss Texas, and he will be laid to rest at Fort Bliss National Cemetery with full military honors. Service entrusted to Sunset Funeral Homes-Northeast. Please visit the on-line register book at www.sunsetfuneralhomes.net.