Lois J. Stokes, 87, of Fredonia, N.Y., went to be with her Lord and Savior on March 11, 2023 with her daughter at her side.

Lois was born on March 28, 1935; the daughter of the late Max D. and Gladys (Thompson) Bray. Lois grew up in Fredonia and graduated from Fredonia High School in 1953. Lois knew from a very young age she wanted to be a teacher and upon high school graduation she enrolled at Fredonia State Teachers College. She earned her teaching degree in 1956. She began her career with her first job teaching in Cassadaga Village School. Her teaching career took her to several different school districts including Mayville, Fredonia, and Dunkirk.

Lois enjoyed teaching many years at School 6 in Dunkirk. One of the highlights for her many classes of third graders was the annual picnic field trip to her family farm on Miller Road in Fredonia. She enjoyed bringing her students to her home and sharing a little bit of farm life and country living with them.

Although teaching was very much a part of who Lois was, her family was very important to her. She married her high school sweetheart, Thomas J. Stokes, November 17, 1956. Together they raised four children: Kathy Wasik, Mary (Mike) Williams, Tom (Jen) Stokes, all of Fredonia; and David (Susan) Stokes of New Jersey all of whom survive her. She is also survived by thirteen grandchildren: Ron (Leslie) Wasik, Anne (Zach) Berlin; Alex, Jordan, Sophie, Michelle, and Joshua Stokes; Sara (Glen) Hurrell, Rebecca (Jason) Budde, Elijah Williams; Gwen (Matthew) Gostomski, Claire and Thomas Josef Stokes; and eight great-grandchildren: Lorelai, Madalyn, Zachariah, Grace, Faith, Chloe, Cora, and Emma. Lois was an active grandma always attending concerts and events. Ever the cheerleader, Lois encouraged her grandchildren in all their endeavors.

Lois took great pride in her family and farm. She was an avid gardener and spent many hours outside tending to her rock gardens and flower beds. Lois loved the outdoors and was quite content to spend the day mowing lawn, working in the grapes, and driving tractors. She was also quite the baker; her apple pies won many awards. Lois was a dedicated wildlife-watcher. She enjoyed all the birds that came to her feeders and kept her eyes open for deer, turkey, or any other animal that wandered into her yard. She also enjoyed traveling throughout the United States with her family seeing the historic and beautiful places our country has to offer.

Lois was a devout Christian and a lifelong member of Fredonia Baptist Church. Her very first job was as the church secretary at Fredonia Baptist. She enjoyed studying the Bible and was always trying to follow Christ’s teachings. Besides her parents, Lois was predeceased by her husband of 56 years, Tom, who died May 7, 2013; her sisters Bertha Turner, Cora Oxley, Ruth Miller, Gladys Morehouse, Marie Prince, and her brothers Donald and Max Bray. She is survived by her sister Joyce O’Brian and many nieces and nephews. Lois was always quick with a smile and encouraging words. Her easy spirit and genuine kindness will be missed by all that knew her.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Lois and Thomas “Sticker” Stokes Scholarship, c/o Northern Chautauqua Community Foundation 212 Lakeshore Drive West Dunkirk NY 14048, or a charity of one’s choice.

Visitation will be Saturday March 18, 2023 from 10am-11am at the Harvest Chapel Free Methodist Church, 39 Matteson St., Fredonia, where a funeral service will follow at 11am. Burial at Webster Street Cemetery will follow the funeral service, with a luncheon at the Harvest Chapel at approximately 1 pm.

On-line condolences may be made at larsontimkofuneralhome.com. Arrangements by David J. Dengler, LARSON-TIMKO Funeral Home.