Annette Stokes

Annette Cooke Stokes passed away peacefully at the age of 84 on December 30, 2020 from heart complications and pneumonia. (not Cov-19) She was surrounded by her daughters and loving husband of 61 years. She leaves a legacy of loving her family and serving her community and her God.

Annette was born August 26, 1936 in Spartanburg County, SC. She completed Greer (SC) High School and graduated Magna Cum Laude from Coker College, Hartsville, SC. She married the love of her life, Gordon E. Stokes in 1959. After residing in Charleston, SC, and Greenville, SC, they settled in Texas in 1970. While rearing their three daughters, she taught kindergarten in her church school and served as a volunteer Youth Director and Elder as well. Annette’s love of education was deep. After her youngest daughter left for college, she sought and received training through the Neuhaus Education Center, becoming certified as a Dyslexia Therapist. She established a business teaching students with Dyslexia for 14 years. During this time she served on the International Dyslexia Education Committee and taught Intensive Bible Study at her church, Grace Presbyterian, in Houston. Annette was a Biblical Scholar and was thrilled to get to “walk in the steps of Paul'' on one of her trips.

She and Gordon moved to Lago Vista, TX., after retirement in 1997. She served St. Peter’s Episcopal Church as a Daughter of the King for over 20 years. She also volunteered with Lago Vista Women’s Club, serving as President from 2003-2005 and from 2009-2011. She was tireless in raising money for their scholarship program for young women to attend college.

Annette is preceded in death by father, James Vassie Cooke and her mothers, Mary Ellen Sloan, and Macy Ezell Cooke. She is survived by her devoted husband Gordon E. Stokes and her daughters and their spouses: Cile Stokes and Terri Glover Gun Barrel City, TX; Phyllis and David Villanoueva, Bridge City, TX; and Janice Annette Stokes-Nauman and Neal Nauman, Houston, TX. Her great joys in life were her grandchildren: Tracey Matney (Richard), Redlands, CA; Michael Broussard (Carly), Bridge City, TX; Matthew Broussard (Cassie), Bridge City, TX;

Jonathan Craige, Houston, TX; Jake Craige, San Francisco, CA; and Brooke Nauman, Janelle Nauman and Gregory Nauman, Houston, TX; and Caitlin Villanoueva, Vidor, TX. She is also survived by six great-grandchildren: Elias Paul Matney; Joshua Loyd Rutledge; Emma Kate Broussard; Cason Matthew Broussard; Cayleigh Lynn Broussard and Riley Anne Craige. Annette also leaves behind three loving siblings and their spouses: Sally Cooke Christian (James), Columbia, SC; Judy Cooke McMaster (John), Columbia, SC and J. Vassie Cooke (Cynthia), Asheville, NC.

After cremation, a small family gathering will be shared to celebrate a loving wife, mother, “Mimi”, sister and friend to so many at St. Peter's Episcopal Church in Lago Vista. Another celebration will be planned this summer for all of her friends.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in her memory to the Annette C. Stokes Memorial Scholarship Fund at Lago Vista Women’s Club or High School Student Scholarship Fund at Neuhaus Education Center.