Obituary for Josephine Stokes
February 12, 1944 – July 26, 2023
Josephine Stokes, age 79, passed away on Wednesday, July 26, 2023. She was born on Feb. 12, 1944, to Josephine Arthur in Orrville, Ala. She confessed her love for Christ at a young age. Josephine graduated high school from the Dallas County school system in Beloit, Ala. She went on to receive an associate’s degree in Business Administration from Gateway Technical College in Racine, Wis.
Josephine was united in marriage to Cornell Stokes Sr. for 43 years until the time of his death on May 5, 2023. Josephine was a dedicated, faithful, and committed member of New Omega Missionary Baptist Church for over 30 years until her health began to fail. While a member at New Omega, Josephine was the head of the Hospitality Committee, and a part of The Admirations, and the Senior Choir.
Josephine enjoyed gardening, cooking and traveling. She also loved entertaining her family and friends. Josephine was employed as an Administrator at J. I. Case Company for over 30 years until she retired.
Josephine leaves to cherish her fond memories: a daughter, Virginia Marshall-Weaver; a son, Melvin Arthur Sr.; step-daughters, Sheila Stokes, Delina (Johnny) Reed, Sharon Stokes; stepson, Cornell Stokes Jr.; a sister, Regina Avant; brothers, Timothy Marshall and Patterson Marshall; grandchildren, Andre Clark and Melvin Arthur Jr.; great-grandchildren, Ja’Varria, Arthur, Antonio Ramariz, Nevari Fralin, Prince Arthur, Ka’Leeah Clark, Namya Clark and Kaecii Arthur ; godson, Marques Marshall; special friends, Mary Jeffries, Courtney and Virginia Jackson, Burnette Horton, and Emmitt and Winnie McGhee, and a host of nieces, nephews, friends, and loved ones.
She was preceded in death by her grandparents, Sam & Mattie Arthur; parents, James and Josephine Marshall; husband, Cornell Stokes Sr: brother, James Arthur; sister, Dora Mullins; aunts, Amanda Marshall, Orlean Arthur, Mary Ballard, Sally Shivers, and Virginia Webster; uncles, Ezekiel Arthur and Elijah Arthur; nieces, Patricia Walker, Ranisha Mullins-Ward and Edwina Mullins; nephew, Ed Mullins, and brothers-in-law, Ed Mullins, and Willie Avant.
Services
Celebration of Life and Homegoing Services for Josephine will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 5, 2023, at New Omega Baptist Church, 5731 Northwestern Ave., Racine. Visitation will be at the church on Saturday beginning at 10 a.m. until the time of service.
Obituary and photo of Josephine Stokes courtesy of Draeger-Langendorf Funeral Home.
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