Mr. Ervin Stokes

JOHN “ERVIN” (BIG DADDY) STOKES MACON – John “Ervin” (Big Daddy) Stokes, 71, passed away on Monday, December 21, 2009. Funeral services and a celebration of his life will be held at 3 p.m. Wednesday at Liberty United Methodist Church with burial in Avondale Baptist Church Cemetery. Dr. Laudis H. (Rick) Lanford and the Rev. Bob Shell will officiate. The family suggests that those who wish may make memorial contributions to the Alzheimer’s Association, Central Georgia Chapter, Suite 201, 277 MLK, Jr. Blvd., Macon, GA 31201. The family may be contacted at the residence of Sylvia and Steve Lindsey. Mr. Stokes was born in Byron and was a lifelong resident of Lizella and Macon. He was the owner and operator of Norton and Stokes Service Station and Garage for fifty years. Mr. Stokes loved his community and served as President of Macon-Bibb County Recreation Softball Association and was sponsor of the “Big Daddy’s” softball team which was composed of Bibb County Sheriff deputies and officers of the Macon Police Department. He was a member and President of the Middle Georgia CB Radio Club and served as Chief of Rutland Volunteer Fire Department. Mr. Stokes attended Liberty United Methodist Church and was preceded in death by his father, George Ervin Stokes, his sister, Diane Stokes Corbett and his granddaughter, Ashlee Shea Haygood. Mr. Stokes was devoted to his family and is survived by his wife of fifty-two years, Laverne Norton Stokes; his children, Derek Stokes, Sylvia Stokes Lindsey and Nancy Stokes Haygood; his mother, Frances Long Stokes; his grandchildren, Kaitlyn Elizabeth Haygood, Branden Oliver Cote and Emory Matthew Lindsey; his siblings, Kay Stokes Wilson, Lynn Stokes and Gwen Stokes Moore; and many nieces and nephews. Visit www.snowsmemorialchapel.com to express tributes. Snow’s Memorial Chapel Funeral and Cremation Services, Pio Nono Avenue has charge of arrangements.