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Edward Stokes Obituary
August 21, 2021
Charlotte, North Carolina - Edward Brittain ("Ed") Stokes grew up in Charlotte in a home filled with music: hymns, big band albums, and an endless stack of rock & soul 45s. With the release of "Will the Circle be Unbroken", he instantly became a devoted bluegrass fan and banjo picker. This led to starting a series of bluegrass bands in which he played, sang, and performed many original songs. Ed was deeply involved in his community, would do anything for his family, and was known to reply to loved ones' self-doubt with, 'Just do it'.
At the age of 17 he began dating his soulmate, Rosanna (Williamson) Stokes. They were married in 1979, shortly before he graduated from UNC Charlotte with engineering degrees. In 1986, he moved his family to New York, where he earned a PhD in Physics and worked at the GE Research Lab in Schenectady. He eventually returned home to the Carolinas to become a professor of Electrical Engineering at UNC Charlotte, where he championed classes on acoustics and digital music production. In more recent years, he has worked as "DJ Eddie B" for the WNCW show "Goin' Across the Mountain".
While Ed had a significant number of professional engineering achievements, including 39 patents and the co-founding of a novel UV LED company with Rosanna, his true passion in life was always music. He was an avid record collector, a project recording studio operator, and a curious dabbler in musical electronica. He played in the local bluegrass band, Stringbound, and was a talented singer and songwriter who had a knack of weaving beautiful lyrics together with intricate instrumentals.
Ed was preceded in death by his parents, Henry Brittain ("Britt") Stokes and Mary Elizabeth ("Mary Lib") (Springs). He is survived by his wife of 42 years Rosanna (Williamson); son Ian Stokes (Marianne) of Raleigh, NC; daughter Anna Stokes (Jeremy Leonard) of Brooklyn, NY; grandchildren Britt Stokes, Natalie Stokes, and Julien Leonard; brother Bill Stokes (Beth); sister Linda Sloan (Ed).
A memorial service will be held at 1pm on Saturday August 28, 2021 at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Spartanburg, SC. In lieu of flowers the family asks that memorial donations are made to WNCW (wncw.org, click 'Donate').
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Edward Stokes
Keith Evans
March 4, 2022
You could not know Ed very much without loving him. What a wonderful husband, father, scientist, teacher, musician, and lover of life!
Alec Martin
December 7, 2021
I'm So sorry to learn of Ed's passing! I always enjoyed working with him, and always considered him a friend. I'm just one of many who will miss him mightily!
Peter Sandvik
September 9, 2021
It was great having Ed as a mentor at GE R&D having joined out of university in the early 2000's. In being very articulate, Ed was easy to learn from, clearly passionate about his work, and always pleasant to be around. Condolences to the Stokes family.
Kathy and Jim Weidner
August 28, 2021
Roseanna,
Jim and I are so sad to learn of Ed's passing and we are sending you and your family our deepest heartfelt sympathy at this very difficult time. We are full of wonderful memories of bikes rides to the beach, bike rides on the country roads near your house, and beautiful bluegrass music making us (and the seniors at the Cypress) so very happy! Ed will be dearly missed by all of his friends. Take Care, our prayers are with you.
Love, Kathy and Jim
Don Helton
August 26, 2021
Rosanna,
I am so very sorry to hear of your loss. My sympathies for you all.
You and Eddie were the perfect match and complement for each other, exemplified by your happiness and amazing success you two have had professionally, personally and your many endeavors.
After you left Goulston for Schenectady, I often thought about you two over the years; it has always occasioned a smile on my face and in my heart. Thank you.
Take care.
Sincerely, Don Helton
Phil Guy
August 26, 2021
Miss those days in Moore Dorm with Eddie, Billy and Tim.
RIP Eddie
Ginny McGranahan Haas
August 26, 2021
Roseanna, I was devastated to learn of Eddie's passing. Much too young! Remember our first apartment? You, me, Eddie and Jim. I have such happy memories of bluegrass festivals we all enjoyed. And Gary and June too. I never doubted that Eddie would go on to do great things. That's just who he was. I loved him very much. And I love you very much. God bless you and your family.
Love,
Ginny
TOM GRICE
August 26, 2021
Rosanna, I saw this news, and I send my sympathy to you and your family! It has been decades since we worked together at Goulston. Unfortunately, I had only an occasion or two to be around Eddie. He not only accomplished a lot, but with the two or so times of meeting him, he was very friendly and outgoing. Again, I am so sorry for your loss. Try to take care of yourself.
Sincerely,
Tom Grice
Liuedean Lewis Wilson II
August 25, 2021
I was connected to Ed Stokes via his entire family- his father was my Sunday School teacher during my high school years and a Scouts BSA leader for many years; his older brother -Bill- is a long time friend of mine(over 65 years) a high school classmate(West Mecklenburg) and an NC State alumni as I am. Ed was nine years my junior so I had limited interactions however I recall him as being a very bright and outgoing individual from his early years. His love of music makes us kindred spirits and his academic successes are well documented- we were also both employees of GE during a similar period- in fact during a couple visits to the Schenectady, NY based Research Lab I may have passed him in a hallway! My condolences to his immediate and extended family as they process their loss and begin the plan to extend Ed's legacy in the coming days/weeks/years. Regards, Lewis Wilson
Ginger Griffin Thompson
August 25, 2021
Eddie was a one of the crazy people in life that makes it worth living. I loved knowing him back at West Mecklenburg High School - Eddie was brilliant but a "non-conformist - the administration did not know what to do with him. Eddie figured out his own path and excelled at it. My brother-in-law John Thompson played banjo with Eddie and Rosanna in the band "The Hogs". He led a full life!
Dr. LeBoeuf
August 24, 2021
Damn, Ed... You had many great healthy years left to makes great things happen... This just ain´t right.
I´m saddened for you and your family, and for me (your protégée), and for all those who´ll miss you `til their last breath, but I find myself also saddened for all those in the world who will never get a chance to enjoy your "next big thing", as it was cut way too short...
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