Nellie Rodgers Stokes

Obituary For Nellie Rodgers Stokes

Mrs. Nellie Rodgers Stokes was born April 5, 1942 in Macon, Georgia to Lonnie R. Rodgers and Laura Hoyt Rodgers. Angels searched for a devoted mother and first class pianist and in the early morning hours of Tuesday, September 4, 2007, God called His saint home to rest. The new member of the heavenly choir fought a gallant fight, but the opportunity to go home and join her "Sammy" was just too irresistible.

At an early age, she attended Antioch Baptist Church and leter joined Grant Chapel A.M.E. Church, Macon, and when the family moved to Atlanta, Saint Philip A.M.E. Church, Decatur. She was united in holy matrimony for 39 1/2 years to Mr. Samuel Stokes, Jr., until his death and to this union three children were born.

"Momma", "Nell", "Nellie", "Auntie", "My Nell", " Nanna", as she was affectionately called, received her formal education through the Bibb County Public School System. She received her B.S. degree in Music Education from Morris Brown College. While matriculating at Morris Brown College, she joined the Gamma Zeta Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Nell later studied at the University of Illinois, Champagne-Urbana, Illinois and received her M.A. degree in Music Education from the University of Georgia, Athens.

Nell retired from the Atlanta Public School System after 42 years of teaching in 2005. Her tenure also included Bibb, Muscogee and Upson County Boards of Education.

Nell loved her family! She could make you laugh by her creative use of the English language. She followed in her mother's footsteps and started playing the piano at an early age. She enjoyed teaching and inspiring young people to excel in all their endeavors by doing their best. Her love of music permeated her entire life as she played for numerous choirs, including Choir Number One and the George Moore Ensemble at Saint Philip A.M.E. Chruch.

Nell was affiliated with the following organizations: Stone Mountain-Lithonia Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Christian Education Ministry, Sarah Allen Usher Board, VBS at Saint Philip A.M.E. Church, Georgia Music Educators Association, American Federation of Teachers.

Nell was preceded in death by her parents, Mr. Lonnie Roy Rodgers and Mrs. Laura Hoyt Rodgers and husband, Mr. Samuel L. Stokes, Jr. She leaves to embrace/shelter her memory, two daughters, Ms. Karla L. Stokes, Douglasville and Ms. Keisha S. Stokes, Fairburn; one son, Samuel L. (Camille) Stokes, III (Trey), Conley; one granddaughter, Shae; one grandson, Emmanuel; brothre, Rev. Joseph L. (barbara) Rodgers of Macon; two sisters-in-law, Mrs. Bessie Stokes Owens and Mrs. Elaline Stokes (Joseph) Miller, both of Griffin; nieces, Mrs. Natalie (John) Wilkerson, Jonesboro and Ms. Shaleste Miller, Smyrna; nephews, Mr. Joey Rodgers, Decatur, Mr. Sean (LaSandra) Owens, Hampton, and Mr. Josef Miller, Griffin; a host of cousins, other relatives and friends.