J. Lem Stokes II

J. Lem Stokes, II
WILMINGTON -- J. Lem Stokes, II, 98, of Wilmington, passed away Thursday, November 23rd at Hospice Life Care Center. Dr. Stokes was born on August 23, 1908 in Songdo, Korea, to missionary parents, Marion B. Stokes and Pauline Davis Stokes. His early years were spent in Korea where he graduated from Seoul Foreign School in 1926, from Asbury College, Duke University Divinity School (M. Div.) and from Yale University (Ph.D.)
After serving twenty years in the pastorate where he was a member of the Western NC Methodist Conference, he began a second career in higher education, including over 15 years as President of Pfeiffer College, and 25 years in University Administration in the North Carolina State University System. Dr. Stokes has been listed in Who's Who in America since the nineteen-fifties.
Dr. Stokes was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, James C. Stokes, and Charles D. Stokes, and son-in-law, Don Seamon.
Surviving are his wife of 73 years Alda Beaman Stokes, son John L. Stokes, III. (wife MaLou), daughter, Anne Seamon, five granddaughters, Debbie Collins (Rick), Terri Newell (Steve), Lou Ann Peterson (Pete), Susan Latour (Ken), and Lara Galloway (David). He also is survived by eighteen great-grandchildren, Kelly, Spencer, Jordan, Caitlin, Sarah, Madison, Davis, John, Isabelle, Elizabeth, Cole and Samantha (John's grandchildren) and Zack, Eli, Matthew, Brittany, Blaze, and Whitney, (Anne's grandchildren).
A memorial service to celebrate the life of J. Lem Stokes, II, will be held Monday, at 3:00 pm, November 27th at Wesley United Methodist Church with the Rev. Frances Daniel and Rev. Margaret Hockett officiating. The family will receive friends at 2:00 pm in the Gathering Hall at the church prior to the service. Other times the family will be at the home of John and MaLou Stokes, 3809 Rounding Bend Lane.
The Stokes family wishes to express sincere appreciation for the wonderful care received from Dr. Linda Calhoun and the staff at Hospice Life Care Center.