Louis Theodore Stokes died Tuesday, May 23, 2006, at his residence in Savannah Summit Apartments.

Mr. Stokes was born August 13, 1929 in Charleston, S.C to the late Florrie D. and Louis T. Stokes. He grew up in Savannah and graduated from Chowan College in Murfreesboro, NC and Georgia Southern University in Statesboro, GA. He later attended Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest North Carolina. Mr. Stokes served in the US Marine Corps from December 1947 - July 1955; with wartime service in Korea 1952-1953. He was honorably discharged as a Staff Sergeant, military police chief, with excellent service record and was a member of the VFW. He worked for the American Red Cross in France and Germany, 1965-1968. Mr. Stokes was ordained to the ministry Southern Baptist at Morningside Baptist Church in Savannah in 1957 and served as pastor to Chapel by the Sea, Tybee Island; Wades and Union Baptist Churches in Screven County; Rives Chapel Baptist Church in Siler City, NC; Cedar Fork Baptist Church in Morrisville, NC; Crawfordville Baptist Church in Crawfordville, GA; Faith Baptist Church in Savannah. He later served as Moderator of the Georgia Baptist Executive Committee in Atlanta, representing Georgia Baptist Association. He worked with the Georgia Department of Human Resources, Division of Vocational Rehabilitation. Mr. Stokes was also preceded in death by his sister Mary Frances Smith.

He is survived by one daughter: Rebecca D. Smith son-in-law, Robert B. Smith & grandson, Zachary L. Smith of Prattville, Alabama; former spouse: Ruby B. Stokes of Millbrook, Alabama; brother-in-law: Edward C. Smith, Sr. Savannah; brother: William M. Bill Stokes sister-in-law, Sue of Ellijay, Georgia; sister: Patricia A. Patty Perkins brother-in-law, Howard of Hanover, Massachusetts; and several nephews and nieces as well as great nephews and nieces.

Visitation will be held Friday, May 26, 2006 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Fox and Weeks Funeral Directors Hodgson Chapel.

Funeral services will be held Friday May 26, 2006 at 1:00 p.m. at Fox and Weeks Funeral Directors Hodgson Chapel with Dr. John Connell officiating.

Interment will follow in Hillcrest Abbey Memorial Park East.

Remembrances should be sent to Calvary in Savannah 4625 Waters Ave. Savannah, GA 31405.

Fox and Weeks Funeral Directors Hodgson Chapel