Mr. Bobby Earl Stokes

Bobby Earl Stokes was born March 25, 1939 to LC Simmons and Regena Stokes. Though they resided in Clarksdale. MS, the hospital was located 7 miles away in . Lyons, MS which is where his mother gave birth to him. He was raised by his maternal grandparents, Mose and Estella Stokes Sr. in Mt. Vernon, IL. He learned very early on about respect. hard work, financial literacy, integrity and ethics. In a household where the grandmother was the 1st secretary for the Mt Vernon NAACP and the grandfather was a bard worker who was well respected in the community and esteemed in the church, he learned the importance of family. community and giving back. He was educated in the Mt, Vernon School system. A smart and sharp student, Bobby was not your typical student. Always curious, sometimes mischievous, he yearned for more. Born during a time of racial, segregation. he always wanted more despite the barriers and challenges that were ever present. Living eighty -six (86) years. be was graced to live through that era and witnessed the world change around him. In putting his age in perspective, he was born before the invention of microwaves and Tupperware (1946), credit cards (1950), car seals belts (1959). internet (1969), and personal computers (1975). He Jived to witness the 1st Black Supreme Court Judge Thurgood Marshall be sworn in as well as the first Black President of the United States take office. These were not things that a young Black boy from southern Mississippi could have ever envisioned, but he bore witness to these things! Wanting to become independent and serve his country, "Bobby enlisted in the United States Air Force where he served as an Airman 3rd Class until his honorable discharge. Shortly after leaving the military. be met and married Donna King. To that union they were blessed with six (6) children: Johnny, Kendall, Winston, Wayne, Brandon. and AaTOn. Bobby married a 2nd time in March 1973 to Ardene Gooch. To that union they were blessed with five (5) children: Barbara, Donna, Sharon, Eddie, and Jacqueline. They remained married for forty-seven (47) years until her passing in 2020. The blended family was focal and important to Bobby. Over the years, there were many holiday gatherings, picnics and get togethers that were hosted to keep the family together and bonded. There were countless times when Bobby would even host neighborhood gatherings in bis backyard cooking deer meat, rabbit and other wild game! After his stint in the military, Bobby became employed by the Milwaukee County Transit System as a Bus Operator, a position he proudly held for more than thirty (30) years. In his spare time, he enjoyed hunting, fishing and helping others in need. One of bis favorite pastimes was anything that involved' gun powder'. This was a testament to the many awards and trophies he won and received as a sharp shooter. Bobby was preceded in death by both parents, LC Simmons and Regena Nelson, his maternal grandparents, Mose and Estella Stokes Sr, his wife Ardene, seven of his brothers LC Simmons Jr, IT Simmons, Sylvester Nelson, Henry Nelson, Van Earl Simmons, AI Simmons, Victor Simmons; two sisters, Roena Mannie and Freddie Mae Simmons, two sons John E Stokes and Wayne Stokes, and one daughter Sharon Gillespie. He leaves to honor and cherish his memory six sons: Kerwin Bullock, Winston 'Butchie' Stokes, Santo 'Sonny' Stokes, Brandon Stokes. Aaron (Sandra) Stokes, and Eddie 'Chuckle" Gooch all. of Milwaukee, WI; five daughters: Barbara D. Martin (Milwaukee, WI), Donna Faye Walker (Milwaukee. WI), Kendall 1. (Ronald) Callahan (Waldorf. MD), Jacqueline Owens (Pewaukee, WI) and Cherida Smith (Milwaukee, WI); three brothers: Jimmy Nelson (Chicago, [L) •. Thurman (Yvonne) Nelson Jr. (Vicksburg, MS). Patrick (Barbara) Nelson (Mt. Vemon, IL); six sisters: Ruby Cowser (Milwaukee, WI), Phyllis Simmons (Milwaukee, Wl), Brenda Boyd (Lynwood, IL), Patricia A. Peterson (Portsmouth, VA), Denise Nelson (Columbia. sq, and Melinda Gail Nelson (Atlanta, GA); a host of loving grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends,

Mr. Bobby Earl Stokes

March 25, 1939 - June 4, 2025