Marlita S. Stokes

Marly departed her loving family unexpectedly on July 26, 2023. She was a cherished mother whose greatest role was being a Lola to her beloved grandchildren.

Marlita was born on November 15, 1957, in Manilla, Philippines. Being the eldest of 7 children, she cared for her siblings and developed her amazing ability to cook cultural dishes just by taste at an early age. In her late teenage years, she met the love of her life during the Vietnam War and moved to the United States to marry Charles Micheal “Mike” Stokes. Together they built a home in Shelby, Indiana where they raised their family, until Mike’s untimely passing in 1986. Marly then moved to Cedar Lake, Indiana and raised her 4 children as a single parent. She loved gardening, thrifting, cooking and was a devout Christian who belonged to Livingstones Christian Church for many years. She was known for being a strong, caring, devoted friend who spread the word of God to everyone she met. She is described as a light that lit up every room she walked into and had a smile on her face, even on a bad day. She loved good food, fine wine, and decadent desserts. In her final years, she was always sharing pictures and stories of her grandchildren and their accomplishments.

She is dearly missed by her children Terence (Amy) Stokes, Jennifer (Kevin) Snider, Brandon (Lisa Ping) Stokes and Justin (Crystal) Stokes; grandchildren, Garren, Aiden, Dean, Luka, Raeya, Lyra and Kira; mother-in-law, Doris Stokes; sister-in-law, Diana (John) Sparks; nephews, great-nephews, and many close friends who have always been considered family. She is also survived by her sisters, Lilian Hedge of Sydney, Australia and Marites Daño; brothers, Romeo, Tommy and Ricky Daño; nieces and nephews and extended family in the Philippines whom she loved and had hoped to visit again someday.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Sotero and Genoveva; husband, Charles Micheal “Mike” Stokes; father-in-law, Charles Stokes; and brother, Eduardo.

Visitation will be Wednesday, August 2, 2023, from 11:00 AM until the time of her Funeral at 1:00 PM at Chapel Lawn Funeral Home, 8178 Cline Avenue, Crown Point, IN 46307. She will be laid to rest next to her beloved husband at Chapel Lawn Memorial Gardens. To view her live stream funeral service, please visit

https://view.oneroomstreaming.com/index.php?data=MTY5MDc3NjYwNDExODkzMDgmb25lcm9vbS1lbWFpbCZpbnZpdGF0aW9uX3ZpZXdfYnV0dG9u

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.ChapelLawnFunerals.com for the Stokes family.