Robert Donald Stokes
October 16, 1925 ~ February 10, 2008
Resided in:
Asheville, NC
Robert Donald "Buckwheat" Stokes, 82, of 6 Saunooke Road, Asheville, died Sunday, February 10, 2008, at St. Joseph Campus, Mission Hospitals.
Mr. Stokes was born in Buncombe County and was a son of the late Edwin Benjamin and Jennie Mae Hicks Stokes. He was preceded in death by a sister, Eloise Gault.
He was a Marine Corps infantry veteran of WW II, serving with the First Marines, 3rd Battalion, 7th Division, EZ Company. As a corporal, he fought in the Okinawa Campaign.
He enjoyed bowling, swimming, shooting pool, and water skiing. He was a racing fan and loved Duke basketball. He was a member of First Baptist Church in Asheville.
He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Dorothy Trexler Stokes; one daughter, Linda Stokes Reese and her husband, Al, of Swannanoa; one son, Tim Stokes of Royston, GA; one sister, Sara Ruth Duncan and her husband Cecil Mitchell of Fairview; one brother, Edwin Stokes, Jr. and his wife, Betty, of Lafayette, CA; three grandchildren, Travis Lane Ballard, Tracia Lynn Ballard, and Taylor Brittany Stokes, one great-grandchild, Mason Tyler Ballard, and many nieces and nephews, to include Sherry and Larry Williams.
Funeral services will be at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday in the Patton Avenue chapel of Groce Funeral Home with the Revs. Milton Hollifield and Donna Painter officiating. Military honors will be provided by the Buncombe County Veterans Council Memorial Team at Skyview Memorial Park.
The family will receive friends Wednesday at the funeral home one hour prior to the service.
Flowers will be accepted and appreciated or memorials may be made to CarePartners Hospice, John F. Keever Solace Center, PO Box 25338, Asheville, NC 28813.
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My heart goes out to you all, I wish I could be there. Know that our love and prayers are with you. We will miss Buckwheat……..
Love, Sheri
Linda, we wish to express our sorrow for your loss. Hearing you talk about your father made us realize how much he meant to you.
Dorothy, I was saddened to hear of Bob’s passing. Ann Smith told me. He was a good friend from school days, as well as at church. He will be missed by all of his Sunday Scool friends, as well as others. May God be wih you during these up-coming days.
Tim, My prayers are with you and your family during this time. I know you are hurting, but please find comfort in the memories and the bond the two of you must have shared.
Aunt Dottie,
I was so sorry to hear about Uncle Bob. He was such a special man.
The two of matched the decription of ‘soul mates’.
If I can do anything please let me know.
I love you,
Tam
We will remember “Pa Stokes†as the epitome of a true Southern Gentleman and a Wonderful Husband. His love for his wife and family was as genuine and heartfelt as we have ever experienced.
We were invited into the Stoke’s family and was loved and treated as one of his own.
We enjoyed sitting and listening to Bob’s many life stories and adventures. Pa Stokes, in his own charming ways, sure liked to tell his tales and truly enjoyed good conversations and that, we all will miss!
As Bob now dances his way through the pearly gates of heaven we will miss him. He will remain in our hearts forever. Your family is in our prayers as we prepare to “Celebrate the Life†of “Pa Stokesâ€.
Amen and God bless you Bob….
Sy & Kimberly Walker
Tim,
Please know our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. We know their is nothing to say that can take away the pain you are feeling, but just know we are here for you at any hour of the day.
And what a blessing to know you were blessed with such a wonderful, amazing, strong, devoted father. Very few people in this world were as lucky to have had, what you had!! You will have those memories to cherish and share forever. You must be very proud of such a great man! We Love You!
Love Always,
Tom, Dawn & Landen
Our hearts are with ya’ll. Wish we could be there.
Our prayers and thoughts are with you during this sad time. Uncle Bob was a legend in his time and heaven has a special place for him. We will miss him so much.
Love to you all,
Robin, Mike and family
Dot, Linda and Tim,
Just wanted all three of you and your families to know that you are in our thoughts and our prayers. Rick and I will always remember Bob\\\’s great stories and all the fun we had together at Lake Lure over the years. He always made everyone laugh and that is a beautiful gift.
The Sovereign Lord will wipe away the tears from all faces.
Isaiah 25:8
Our heartfelt love and concern,
Rick and June Metcalf
You’re in our thoughts and prayers.God Bless.
We love you, miss you, and will keep you in our prayers.
Aunt Dot,
May god bless you during this time. We love you and are praying for you. We will always remember Uncle Bob with love, and wonderful memories. The San Antonio River Walk will always hold a special place in our hearts, as will riding on elephants. If you need anything we are here for you.
Love,
Jennie Mae
Tim:
Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Troy and Beth Ann Fry
Tim,
Please accept our deepest sympathy on the passing of your father. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. If there is anything we can do for you, please do not hesitate to ask.
ED & RUTH, WE HAVE WONDERFUL MEMORIES OF YOUR BROTHER AND HIS SMILING FACE. MOTHER AND DADDY ALWAYS APPRECIATED HIS KINDNESS.
OUR THOUGHTS ARE WITH YOU IN THIS TIME OF LOSS. GEORGE & MYRA COUCH
No words can describe you Uncle Buckwheat, but I will try. I will always remember you always with a video camera always in your hand and a constant smile on your face. The Stoke’s Family Reunion and holding your hand walking through the San Antonio Riverwalk and HIP-HIP HURRAY!! You are one in a million and I will never forget the stories you told us all when we were little up to when we were growing up. I will continue to tell your stories until the day we meet again. I miss you more than words can say and I love you with all my heart. And don’t give Grandma and Grandpa too much trouble!
Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this time.
Dorothy, We are very sorry for your loss. You will be in our thoughts and prayers. Bob was a very nice man and I am sure that he will be truly missed by all who knew and loved him.
Wanda Trexler Brookshire
Brenda Fryar
Mrs.Dott,
I’m so sorry about Bob, I’ve always loved you both as my grandparents, and to me that’s what you were. I will always remember waking up to Bob making you, Taylor, and I waffles while he sang!!! I loved him very much!! Let me know if I can do anything for you!
I love you Mrs.Dott!!!!!!!!!
Tim and Family,
Very sorry to hear about the passing of your father. In reading ‘Buckwheats’ obituary, it sounded like he lived a full life. We thank him for his military service. God Bless you and your family.
Jeff Sherrill
Dear Tim and Family,
We are so sorry that you are experiencing a sad time. You are in our thoughts and prayers. We love you and we’re here for you.
Trish, Michelle, and Ingrid
You are in our thoughts.
Bill and Sylvia
Our thoughts and prayers are with you as you mourn your father’s passing.
Brenda and Eddie Moseman
Black Mountain,NC 28711
Dear mother,
I was so sorry I could not be at the service, But you were thought of often. I will miss R.D. very much!
Tracy,Ben and I will visit soon so you and Ben can sneak off for some cookies (He still remembers that)
Love,
Rob
Dearest Sara & Dott,
It was very sad to hear of Bob’s passing. I know that your family will miss his warm, humorous and generous presence. I am sorry for your loss. You are all in my thoughts and prayers.
Dave Mitchell
Dear Linda:
My deepest sympathy on Bob’s passing. I, too, lost my Dad recently. We had very similar Dads. Bob was always the life of the Trexler reunions. Had it not been for his video camera many loved ones would have not been captured on film. That is a special gift indeed that he left. Please extend my sympathy to Dot and your brother. The biggest comfort is that he is in no more pain. You will see him again.