Photo courtesy of Smith & Gaston Funeral Services, Inc. - Birmingham
Birmingham, Alabama
The legendary Bunny Stokes, Jr. was a part of the Birmingham working community for over fifty years. He began a long and distinguished banking career at Citizens Federal Savings Bank in 1968. For over fifteen years, Bunny Stokes served in several senior executive positions before succeeding his great
friend and mentor Dr. A. G. Gaston upon his passing in January 1996. It was at this time that he became the Chairman and President/CEO of Citizens Federal Savings Bank, a position he held until the bank merged with Citizens Trust Bank of Atlanta in February 2003. Bunny Stokes held the position of President, Alabama Division of Citizens Trust Bank until his retirement in June 2016.
During his banking tenure, Bunny Stokes gained valuable outside experience selling residential and commercial property throughout Alabama as an associate broker with Vulcan Realty and Investment Company, Sirman Realty Company and RealtySouth Real Estate. Bunny Stokes’ achievements and contributions were recognized with numerous awards, including Business Leader of the Year, awarded by Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, and the Alumni Merit Award from Booker T. Washington Business College. He received recognition of his leadership and executive capabilities from then Governor Guy Hunt who appointed him Honorary Lieutenant Colonel and Aide- de-Camp in the Alabama State Militia in 1988. He served on numerous boards: Federal Reserve Board Advisory Committee of Financial Institutions of the Sixth District, Board of Directors of the Alabama Community Bankers Association, Alabama State Savings and Loan Association, State Health Planning and Development Agency, Booker T. Washington Insurance Company, Baptist Health System, Birmingham Area Chamber of Commerce, Community Development Corporation, Stillman College, Miles College, Region 20/20, Alabama Symphony, Operation New Birmingham, United Way, Better Business Bureau, AAA of Alabama, Alabama School of Fine Arts, FNMA Advisory Board of Atlanta, A.G. Gaston Boys and Girls Club, and The Entrepreneurial Center. He also was a member of the M Bank of the America’s Community Bankers of Washington, DC and the Birmingham Association of Urban Bankers.
Bunny Stokes served on the deacon board at Sixth Avenue Baptist Church. He was a graduate of Parker High School, Booker T. Washington Business College, and an alumnus of Birmingham Southern College. He completed advanced programs with the American Real Estate Institute and the Institute of Financial Education in Chicago, as well as the Dale Carnegie Institute. Mr. Stokes is survived by his wife Della, two children: son, Trenton V. Stokes and daughter, Tierra Rosales, and one granddaughter, Whitney Lawson.
Viewing will be held Thursday, June 24, 2021 from 12:00 P.M. until 7:00 P.M. at Smith & Gaston Southside Chapel Graveside service will be held Friday June 25, 2021 at 11:00 A.M. at Elmwood Cemetery.
Read MoreBunny, we are still missing you. We treasure the time that we spent with you and Della during our short times together. We just came across a picture of you, Della, Jim and Dollie that we had taken the last time we were together at one of the class reunions. You will always be in our hearts and mind.
Love, Willie and Tina
Tina Price
September 06, 2023 | Olney, MD | Friend
Sweet, sweet, sweet Mr. Bunny, I am so honored to have gotten to know you. You were such a good man inside and out. Being your caregiver was more than just a job, you treated me like family as if I were the daughter you never had. Thank you for the kindness you showed me and the unconditional love. May you continue to rest in Heavenly Paradise where I know you'd rather be, and where I know you belong.
Rest On,
Tia
Tia-Symone q Wells
November 17, 2021 | AL | Family
Bunny, it was such deviated bad news to hear about your passing. I remember the good times we all had growing up 1block apart in East Thomas, playing and going to church together together. You will be truly missed. May God continue to bless Della, your children and the rest of your family.
Willie &Tina
June 30, 2021 | Friend
To Della and family, I am so sorry to hear the passing of Bunny. Your memories of him are far greater than any words and sadness I can express. Although it has been a long time dear cousin, I will cherish the memories.
Essence Brock Booker
June 28, 2021 | Family
I met Bunny Stokes when I started my first adult job as Associate General Counse at A. G. Gaston Enterprises. Bunny Stokes by example taught me how to be loyal. He knew how to be loyal without compromising his morals and integrity by setting boundaries that others had to respect. I did not know that he had passed otherwise I like many others would have attended his services. Whenever I think of Dr. Gaston I think of Bunny Stokes and I love them both for the lessons they taught me. The two of...
Greg Griffin
June 27, 2021 | Work
I pray God Bless You as you enter the Gates of Heaven.
Mrs. J. D. Bayles
June 25, 2021 | Work
RIP
Donell Smith & Family
June 25, 2021 | Friend
In loving memory of a wonderful person , friend and one of " The Guys". I will always remember our association in Busines Ventures, Club memberships, Social Interactions, Real Estate Ventures & Association , Church Relationships, and as Friends. We will love you and miss you always.
Claude HooksJr
June 25, 2021 | Birmingham, AL | Friend
I have known my cousin Bonnie every since I was big enough to remember him, I’ll never forget how he used to come down from Birmingham to the country and visit us and when we came up to Birmingham he would make sure that he saw us before we leave to go back to the country. I remember he came to my moms funeral. Bonnie, your cousin Mary, better known to you as knitter loves you but God loves you best so sleep on my dear cousin and take your rest
Bonnie, your cousin Mary, better known to you as knitter loves you but God Tyson ,Mary
June 25, 2021 | Davenport Florida
