JoAnn Stokes-Smith

1933 - 2020

JoAnn Stokes-Smith obituary, 1933-2020, Charleston, SC

JoAnn Stokes-Smith

1933 - 2020

JoAnn Stokes-Smith Obituary

Visit the Legacy Remembers website to view the full obituary.
JoAnn Stokes-Smith Charleston - JoAnn Stokes-Smith (Mary JoAnn Stokes), 87, of Charleston, South Carolina, widow of Isaac David Smith, Jr., a resident of Harmony at West Ashley Assisted Living facility, entered into eternal rest on Friday, March 20, 2020. She succumbed to SARS-CoV-2, a pandemic coronavirus and condition referred to as COVID-19 by the World Health Organization. She was placed in isolation during her final days. Due to social distancing recommendations by authorities, a memorial service has been deferred. Arrangements by J. Henry Stuhr, Inc. West Ashley Chapel. JoAnn was born January 29, 1933 in Sumter County, SC, daughter of the late Henry Carison Stokes and Carrie Lou Elizabeth Westbury. She was a Nurse Practitioner, having worked at the Charleston County Health Department, SC Department of Juvenile Services, and MUSC for over 30 years. She received her nursing degree from Columbia School of Nursing in 1955 and many years later received her BS in Nursing from Columbia College. She is survived by her two sons, Donald "Don" Stokes Kilpatrick, MD (Carol) of James Island, SC and William "Bill" James Kilpatrick (Sarah) of Summerville, SC. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Brittany Kilpatrick Epting (JP), Christopher Kilpatrick, Austin Kilpatrick, Emily Hairfield (Benjy), and Ashley Strange (Paul) and great- grandchildren, Taylor Katherine Strange, Hudson Lane Strange, and McKenna Grace Hairfield. JoAnn loved to travel and covered much of the globe. She was "JoJo" to her family and will be remembered for her wry sense of humor, her fervor for Women's rights, and her devotion to environmental issues. She also loved gardening and was especially fond of hummingbirds, the pictures of which decorated her home. For many years, she attended the Unitarian Church in Charleston, where she served in various capacities. A special thanks to the heroic staff at Roper and Saint Francis Hospitals for their outstanding and compassionate care. Memorials may be made to the ETV Endowment. A memorial message may be sent to the family by visiting our website at www.jhenrystuhr.com. Visit our guestbook at www.legacy.com/obituaries/ charleston

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March 22, 2021

N. Gayle Sauer planted trees.

March 20, 2021

Tony and Debbie Diz posted to the memorial.

March 19, 2021

Judy and Ron Bruce posted to the memorial.

Group of 10 Memorial Trees

N. Gayle Sauer

Planted Trees

Tony and Debbie Diz

March 20, 2021

Tony and I will always remember her warmth and dry sense of humor as fellow-members of the Unitarian Church. She lived, indeed, a life of consequence and meaning.

Judy and Ron Bruce

March 19, 2021

While we were UU members together for years, I knew her best in the months she was living at the Palms. We took her to church for a number of weeks. Unfortunately, her dinner and our church conflicted and because of her diabetes she had to give up church. We shared the same professional path, hers significantly before mine and in years when this path was a much greater challenge. We have missed her.

Kent Gain

March 29, 2020

The very 1st face I can put to this loss, she seemed lovely & is off to the garden. Peace to all & know there are blessings. SC is a nice place.

Tami Askren

March 29, 2020

We're honoring her as a health care professional who has succumbed to COVID-19http://hcpmemorial.org/2020/03/29/jo-ann-stokes-smith

Pat and Carrol Epting

March 29, 2020

We are sorry for your loss. JoAnn was a lovely person the one time when we met her. Our prayers are with the family.

Paula Sauer

March 28, 2020

I never got a chance to meet Mrs. JoAnn however I know how special she was to my Mother-in-Law. She spoke very highly of her as did my husband Chirs (Gayle Sauer's). I know she will be truly missed. I pray for comfort and strength for your family.

Toni johnson

March 26, 2020

JoAnn was a dear friend & we shared so much. I will miss her sense of humor. My condolenses go out to her family. Toni Johnson

Carol Furtwangler

March 23, 2020

I am sad to learn of our friend JoAnn's passing. For decades, she was a special friend to many of us at the Unitarian Church who admired her spirit and enjoyed her sense of humor.
My sincere sympathy to her family.

Sam Cogdell

March 23, 2020

I first met JoAnn as a member of the Unitarian Church in Charleston about 20 years ago, and as a devoted member of the 'EdenKeepers' group that tended the Unitarian churchyard on Saturday mornings. She always went out of her way to find some task for my young daughter to do, and we both learned a lot about gardening basics from her ( usually from my having cut or trimmed the wrong thing!). She was passionate about women's rights, social justice issues, and the beauty of the wild garden we worked in. Rest in peace, JoAnn.

Ashley Alexander

March 23, 2020

She was absolutely one of my favorite residents during the time that I worked at The Palms. My thoughts and prayers go out to Joanns family during this difficult time.

Rusty and

March 23, 2020

As the days and weeks pass, and as you return to life's routine, may you continue to feel comforted by the love and support of family and friends.

Angie (Guffin) Rabon

March 23, 2020

Bill and Sarah I'm so sorry for your loss and extend my condolences to all of your family , May your mom Rest In Peace

Hillary Hutchinson

March 23, 2020

I was sorry to hear of JoAnn's passing; I remember her as having strong convictions around Women's Rights, especially in the workplace. I hope all of the others in her family in the medical profession will be OK in the face of COVID-19.

Gayle Sauer

March 23, 2020

JoAnn was a dear friend for a long time. She was of the first to welcome me to Charleston in 1987. She had a unique personality which my two sons and I enjoyed! JoAnn was a definite inspiration to us as we all grew older together. I am very glad she was in our lives and glad that she has found peace.

Johnsie Smith

March 23, 2020

I was saddened to learn of JoAnn's death. Family gatherings through the years gave me a chance to get to know her.. She was fun to be around and always treated all her grands and great grands equally. That takes a special quality !
May each of you find comfort and peace as you reflect on good memories.
Find comfort in knowing, as the old hymn says, she is safe in the arms of
Jesus.

Amy Ball

March 23, 2020

I am so sorry to hear of JoAnn's passing. She was a loving member of church for so long. All my love to the family.

Tammy Wright

March 23, 2020

I am very saddened to hear of Joann's passing! I met her a Curves where she was a very unique and interesting person! We quickly became friends! Her strong will and commitment to the things she believed in was very inspiring! I will cherish the fond memories I have her. Praying for comfort for her family!
Lovingly, Tammy Wright

Janice Poteat

March 23, 2020

JoAnn was like a big sister to all of her nieces and nephews. Her tomboy ways and daring actions entertained us growing up. She was always a crusader for women's rights. Having four older brothers, she learned at an early age to take up for herself. My Mother was the oldest of six children and JoAnn was the baby. She lived a good and fruitful life. JoAnn Rest In Peace.

June Aull Metze

March 23, 2020

So sorry to hear of JoAnns passing. We were classmates at Columbia Hospital .school of Nursing. Saw her at one of the last Nursing reunions. Gave her a notebook I made updating all our classmates. We all enjoyed looking through the pages and learning what everyone had done since our graduation in 1955. She was a wonderful nurse and what a personality!
June Aull Metze - class of 1955

March 23, 2020

Tony and I were saddened to learn of Joann's passing. She certainly left a hole in the hearts of many. We salute her brave and meaningful life. We are so glad her life crossed paths with ours.

Marcia & Tim West

March 23, 2020

We are so sorry to hear that our dear former neighbor has passed away from COVID-19. Tim just came out of retirement to help at Roper since his specialty is infectious diseases and heard yesterday as everyone at the hospital was talking about this kind, gentle, brave woman who had just died so peacefully. We remember so fondly JoAnn working in her yard, putting out signs in her front yard to show her democratic spirit, and constantly checking on me when I was recovering from surgery. We so admired her optimistic, caring spirit and being the best of neighbors! Let us know when you have the memorial service.

March 22, 2020

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.

March 22, 2020

Ray and I send our deepest condolences to the family. Love, Ellie Setser

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J. Henry Stuhr West Ashley Chapel

3360 Glenn McConnell Parkway, Charleston, SC 29414

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Sign JoAnn Stokes-Smith's Guest Book

Not sure what to say?

March 22, 2021

N. Gayle Sauer planted trees.

March 20, 2021

Tony and Debbie Diz posted to the memorial.

March 19, 2021

Judy and Ron Bruce posted to the memorial.