Jo Ann Briggs Stokes

Mrs. Jo Ann Briggs Stokes, 87, passed away on November 12, 2025 at her residence.
A graveside funeral service will be held on Tuesday at 12 Noon in the Ayden Cemetery, Ayden. The family will receive friends prior to the service on Tuesday morning from 11 AM until 11:45 AM at Farmer Funeral Service in Ayden. The family will also receive friends following the graveside service at the home of Jeff & Sharon Wilson, 110 Azalea Drive, Greenville.
A native of Hoke County, Jo Ann was born to the late Samuel and Annie Lee Badgett Briggs on March 29, 1938. She was a graduate of Carthage High School. Jo Ann retired from the State of North Carolina as a Administrative Assistant after more than 30 years of service.
Jo Ann loved watching sports on TV. She was an avid ACC basketball fan and also enjoyed watching tennis. Jo Ann always enjoyed attending baseball, basketball, and football games to watch her son and grandsons. Jo Ann always prioritized cheering on her granddaughters in volleyball, cheerleading and dance competitions. She made it a point not to miss any activities that her children or grandchildren participated in. She also was an avid bowler. She bowled on several teams over the many years she bowled and developed a lot of lifelong friends through bowling.
Her favorite pastime was playing Yahtzee with her sisters. Jo Ann was quite competitive.
Jo Ann was preceded in death by her husband of 67 years, Charles M, Stokes, Sr., sisters, Ellen Howell, Nancy Briggs and Jean Black; and Daughter in law, Pam S Stokes.
Jo Ann is survived by
Son, Charles (Mac) Stokes Jr;
Daughter, Sharon Stokes Wilson and husband Jeff of Greenville;
Grandchildren, Charles (Charlie) Stokes III and wife Holton of New Bern,
Callie W Leyva and husband Phil of Greenville,
Linden Stokes of Boone,
Grant Wilson of Raleigh;
Great grandchildren, Stoke Leyva and AJ Leyva.
We would also like to recognize Jo Anns caregivers, Tanya Lewis and Gigi Gibbs; These women are nothing less than amazing people. Their passion and dedication to making Jo Ann comfortable during her difficult times was truly remarkable. If there are angels walking this earth, Tanya and Gigi are two of them.