Robert Reginald Stokes

Reggie was born on October 19, 1952, in Hemingway, South Carolina to Ernest and Edith Stokes. He was the third child of three boys. Reggie was witty, clever and fun loving. Reggie got his first real guitar for Christmas at age 13. Before then he played anything with strings. Reggie became incredibly good. So good, he joined a local band and played for high school parties. He graduated from Hemingway High School in 1973. After his high school days he played for a local rock and roll band. He played in bands in Florence and Hemingway, South Carolina. Reggie dedicated his life to God. He then joined a Christian band where they traveled across the country playing at various churches. After his band days, he went to The Central Piedmont Community College, then to nursing school in North Carolina, graduating in 1982.

Reggie was a nurse for 42 years. He started out in Emory’s Open Heart ICU in Atlanta, GA. After years of working at Emory, he worked at several hospitals in the Atlanta area. Reggie did a travel assignment in Livingston, NJ before moving to Pennsylvania. He found his passion in the Cardiac Cath Lab at Pennsylvania Hospital. He made Alabama his final home in 2002 and started work at UAB in their Cath Lab where he was able to flourish. He then tried out EP lab and found another niche in nursing that he so loved. He retired from UAB entirely in 2016, but went on to work in Cath Labs at Princeton Medical Center, Grandview where he was award the Daisy Award and then finally Brookwood Baptist Medical Center. Reggie was a compassionate, caring and knowledgeable nurse. He talked to his patients and cared for them like family. He was their advocate. He was the nurse that went above and beyond when no one was looking.

While living in Pennsylvania he played the guitar in the praise and worship band at church. He made lots soul stirring music that turned into CDs with a couple of good friends. After getting established in Alabama, he was able to find a connection in the musical world Reggie played for churches to raise money for Hurricane Katrina Victims which lead him to playing a band called 3:16 and in a two piece band at the Fish Market, also while enjoying being the guitar player for his duet band Jazz to Soul and also The Forces of Nature Band. He was a talented and gifted musician. The guitar made everything alright for Reggie when everything was going wrong. Reggie was also big into body building. He placed second in the Atlanta competition and third place the following year in Atlanta.

He was preceded in death by his parents Ernest and Edith Stokes, his brothers Ernest(Phyllis) Stokes and William Stokes. He is survived by his wife Aretha Hudson-Stokes. That union brought 3 Daughters, Rachel Stokes of Shoal Creek, AL, Jessica Stokes of Shoal Creek, AL and Sarah Stokes of Shoal Creek, AL. He has 3 children from a previous marriage Phillip (Rachel) Stokes of Knoxville, TN, Justin (Preeti) Stokes of Melbourne, FL and Rebekah Stokes of Reading, PA. Sister in law whom he called his sister, Susie Stokes. 8 Grandchildren, Luke and Juliette(Phillip), Layla, Ryleigh, Gabriel and Meadow(Justin), and Carson and Eliana(Rebekah). A host nieces, nephews and friends.

Two beloved rabbits, Piper and Wilmet and the tropical fish.

His memory will live on in our hearts forever. His music will continue to be a ministry to many.