Martha Naomi Stokes

Martha Naomi Stokes, 84, a resident of Highland Home, Alabama, passed way unexpectedly in her home on Saturday, February 8th, 2025. A celebration of Naomi's life has not been scheduled yet at this time.

Naomi was born in Mississippi and grew up the daughter of a Pentecostal minister of over 50 years. In 1960, she was working at Kraft Foods in Lakeland, Florida to earn money to put herself through Bible College with the United Pentecostal Church. It was there where she met her fellow co-worker, Lester Stokes, however she soon went off to pursue her dreams at school and he was drafted by the United States Army. Lester knew she was the one for him though so he was persistent in trying to get that first date. Three years later, after she had become a minister in her own right and was already preaching around Mississippi and Alabama, he finally convinced her (with an assist from her mother) in getting that first date. Soon after they were married and went on to spend 60 years together in wedded bliss. It's not many who could handle both married life and working together, but they did just that. They first did so while living in Chicago, Illinois before moving to Alabama to raise their sons and run C.C. Welders Inc where she worked as Lester's secretary and kept things running well for 35 years.

Naomi was a devout, lifelong member of the United Pentecostal Church. She never wavered in her faith and the modern world held no temptation nor the ability to dissuade her from always following her ethics and conscience. She also took pride in building a loving home in which she raised her three sons and was able to dote on her grandchildren and first great-grandchild. She loved being their "MeMe" and they adored her just as much. They all especially loved whenever she made her famous red velvet cake as it was just about the best thing there was. Above all, she was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother whose loss leaves behind a tremendous hole in the hearts of all those who knew and loved her so dearly.

Naomi was preceded in death by her son, David Shawn Stokes; parents, Lacie Taylor & Belva Willis Strong; and brothers, Paul Strong and Nathan Strong. She is survived by her beloved husband of 60 years, Lester Stokes; their sons, Mark (Amy) Stokes and Shane Stokes; grandchildren, Cayla Stokes, Cody (Marisa) Stokes, Emily Stokes, and Rebecca Stokes; great-grandchild, Casey Stokes; and numerous extended family members and friends.