Clyde Willis Stokes was born to Tiny and Courtney Stokes in Chatham, Mississippi. He was preceded in death by his loving wife of 53 years, Anna Stokes; his parents; sisters, Annie Stokes, Blanche Rounds, Louise Foat; brother, Courtney Stokes and son, Clyde Stokes, Jr. He graduated from Manassas High School in Memphis, Tennessee in 1956. He attended Bishop College on a basketball scholarship and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry in 1961. He obtained a Master of Science in Education from North Texas State University. He was a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.
While attending Bishop College in Marshall, Texas, he met the love of his life, Anna Ruth Hobbs. On February 10, 1963, they were joined together in holy matrimony. Two children were born to this union, a daughter, Pamela Deshann and a son, Clyde Stokes, Jr.
Clyde was raised in a Christian home and accepted Jesus Christ at a young age. The Stokes family united with Peoples Missionary Baptist Church in Dallas, Texas and moved their membership to New Hope Baptist Church where he sang in the male chorus until his health failed.
Clyde retired from Dallas Independent School District after more than 30 years as coach, teacher, dean, assistant principal and principal. He served at Pearl C. Anderson, O.W. Holmes, Boude Storey, J.F. Kimball and L.G. Pinkston. In addition, he served as principal at Wilmer Hutchins High School in Wilmer, Texas and was awarded Administrator of the Year in 1990. He served on the Evaluation Team of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, the Dallas City Plan Commission from and as a leader for the Dallas Police Volunteer Neighborhood Crime Watch.
He enjoyed all sports and was an avid Dallas Cowboys fan. He enjoyed tennis, golf, fishing, dominos and talking noise while playing Bid Whist (“big cheater”). His greatest joy was spending time with his family, friends, god-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
He will be forever loved and cherished by his devoted daughter, Pamela Stokes Cooper and son-in-law, Aric Cooper of Dallas, Texas. He is also survived by sisters, Mildred Stokes and Betty Jean Lee of Memphis, Tennessee, brother, Lawrence Stokes (Gussie) of Hughes Springs, Texas; brothers-in-law, Famous Hobbs (Helen) of Los Angeles, California, Elvin Hobbs (Thelma), and Lee Hobbs of Emory, Texas; god-grandchildren, Erika Kennedy and Denim Brown and a host of nieces and nephews.
