Wilma B. Stokes' Obituary
Wilma Dare (Butner) Stokes, 94, of Winston-Salem, NC died peacefully with family by her side on Monday evening, October 30, 2017. She was born in Tobaccoville, Forsyth County on March 4, 1923, the daughter of the late Walter T. Bunter and Annie Newsome Butner.
Wilma graduated from Old Richmond High School with the class of 1940 and attended Drone’s Business College in Winston-Salem, NC. In 1946 she started work at Western Electric Company. Married to Howard F. Gordon in 1949, she is survived by their two children, Gregory Gordon (Donnette Hartsell) of Kernersville, NC and Beverly G. McKenzie (Rob McKenzie) of Huntersville, NC.
All who knew Wilma remember her as a beautiful and very stylish woman. After raising her family she spent her career working and managing various fashion boutiques in the Winston-Salem area including Davis Department Store, Thalhimers, Frank A. Stith, Transworld Wig Imports and The Basket Barn.
Wilma was very passionate in her faith and loved the Lord. She always looked forward to singing in the choir and in various cantatas. She was also a talented gardener. Planting flowers and azaleas in her yard brought her great joy. The title she held most dear was “memommie” to her two granddaughters, Jessica Lynch (Fred Lowry) of Raleigh and Natalie Lynch of Wilmington.
She is survived by her sister, Lucille (Butner) Fulk of King, NC, granddaughters and numerous nephews and nieces. In addition to her parents, she is predeceased by the father of her children, Howard F. Gordon, her second husband Hubert H. Stokes, and siblings Lester N. Butner, Katherine S. Hiatt, W. Carl Butner and Norma Jean Thomas.
A celebration of Wilma’s long life will be held Saturday, November 4, 2017, in Huntersville at the James Funeral Home at 2:00pm. The family will receive friends at the home of her daughter, Beverly McKenzie after the service.
The family extends warm heartfelt thanks and appreciation to the staff of Huntersville Health and Rehabilitation Center and the volunteers and caregivers of Hospice and Palliative Care of Lake Norman. Your care and compassion for Miss Wilma will always be remembered by her family as a gracious blessing.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Hospice and Palliative Care of Lake Norman, 705 Griffith Street, Suite 203, Davidson, NC 28036.
James Funeral Home of Huntersville is serving the family and condolences may be sent to the website at www.jamesfuneralhomelkn.com.
What’s your fondest memory of Wilma?
What’s a lesson you learned from Wilma?
Share a story where Wilma's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Wilma you’ll never forget.
How did Wilma make you smile?