Dr. William Franklin Stokes II

SAVANNAH, Ga. - Dr. William Franklin Stokes II, 84, went home to his eternal rest on Friday, June 25, 2004, at his beloved residence. He was born Nov. 7, 1919, in Sumter County, S.C., and was educated in the public school system of Atlantic County. Dr. Stokes furthered his academic and religious training through attendance at the following institutions: North Western University, Frelinghuysen University, Wake Forest College and Washington Baptist Seminary. He received honorary doctorates from Daniel Payne College, North Western University, Covington Seminary, Wake Forest College, Brown University and Bryant Theological Seminary. Among his many religious and civic affiliations are: past president of the Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance, Savannah Baptist Ministers' Union, NAACP Board of Directors, NAACP Education Committee, Operation Breadbasket, past secretary of the Emancipation Association of Chatham County, past member of the Chatham County Board of Education (District 7), American Association of University Professors and former board member of the Crusade for voters and the West Broad Street YMCA. Dr. Stokes was a member and a former pastor of First African Baptist Church, Franklin Square in Savannah and Friendship Baptist Church of Winston-Salem, N.C. He retired from active pastorate on Nov. 7, 1999, after 50 years of service in his field. Dr. Stokes leaves to cherish his memories his devoted wife of 54 years, Dr. Ethel P. Stokes of Savannah, Ga.; two daughters, Evangelist Saundria Stokes Jackson of Washington, D.C., and Dr. Ethel Stokes Bowels of Savannah, Ga.; a son, William Franklin Stokes III of Augusta, Ga.; a daughter-in-law, Rosa Stokes of New York City; 12 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; and lots of special nieces, cousins and friends. (Clark S. Brown & Sons)