Ralph Harris Stokes Sr.

Ralph Harris Stokes, Sr. 99, went to be with his Lord and Savior on Thursday, January 22, 2026. A celebration of his life will be held on Friday, January 30, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. in the chapel of Snow’s @ Macon Memorial Park Funeral Home, 3969 Mercer University Drive, Macon GA 31204. Burial will be held at Elim Baptist Church Cemetery, 4368 Hartley Bridge Road, Macon GA 31216, with his grandson, Brad Whitfield and Rev. Joe Bowker officiating. The family will greet friends from 2:00 p.m. to service time at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Backpack Ministry, Forest Hills Church, 1217 Forest Hill Road, Macon, GA 31210. Serving as pallbearers will be his grandsons.

Ralph was born on April 12, 1926, to the late Charles William Stokes, Sr. and Naomi Gentry Stokes. He was preceded in death by his wife of sixty-four years, Dorothy Ruth Vann Stokes and daughter, Ann Grace Stokes, brothers, Stanley Stokes and Hubert Stokes.

Ralph was a graduate of Lanier High School and then served in the United States Navy during World War II from 1944 – 1946. He returned home to marry his sweetheart, Dorothy Ruth Vann. He began working at Stokes-Shaheen Produce Company as a truck driver and then a salesman. He was an entrepreneur and owner and operator of Sunshine Center Laundromats and developer of Island View Subdivision at Lake Tobesofkee. Ralph was a charter member of Grace Baptist Church and Berean Baptist Church where he served as a Deacon, music leader and faithful member. He was a devoted and loving husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother and uncle. He was especially dedicated to helping take care of his handicapped daughter during her life. Ralph enjoyed spending time with his family, grandchildren and great grandchildren teaching them the value of his faith, hard work, how to play golf, fishing and boating.

He is survived by his children, Harris (Jean) Stokes, Brenda (Jim) Lambert, Susan (Bob) Thigpen, Stuart (Kim) Stokes, grandchildren, Will (Regina) Stokes, Christy (Pearce) Spurlin, Brad (Dana) Whitfield, Meredith (Kevin) Voyles, Brian (Jessica) Horne, Rebecca (Troy) Windham, Robyn (Tony) Tanner, Matthew (Kristen) Stokes, Bethany (Jonathan) Hodges, and Zack (Lucy) Stokes and twenty-one great grandchildren, and his brother Charles Stokes.

The family would like to thank the staff at the Oaks @ Windham for the care and love given to Mr. Stokes for the last 13 years and a special thanks to his caregivers, Sonja, Angelia, Pat, Marjorie and Chloe.

Visit www.snowsmacon.com to express condolences.

Snow’s @ Macon Memorial Park has charge of the arrangements.