Mark Stokes

Mark Reginal Stokes, 65, of Prattville, went to be with the Lord on Saturday November 9, 2019 after a brief battle with cancer. Mark died peacefully surrounded by his family. Mark was born on November 15, 1953 in New Orleans, Louisiana, the son of Rev. Dr. and Mrs. Reginal Stokes, and grew up in Belmont, Mississippi and Selma, Alabama before moving with his family to Pleasant Grove, Alabama in 1968. He was a 1971 graduate of Hueytown High School. He held degrees from the University of Alabama at Birmingham and New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. For almost forty years, Mark was a passionate minister of the Gospel. In Alabama, he pastored churches in Lauderdale County (First Baptist Anderson and First Baptist Green Hill), Jefferson County (Valley View Baptist and Enon Baptist), Autauga County (Camellia Baptist and First Baptist Billingsley). He also pastored First Baptist Church Aberdeen in Aberdeen, Mississippi, and briefly served on staff alongside his father at First Baptist Church Pleasant Grove in Pleasant Grove, Alabama. Throughout his ministry, Mark was honored to serve in various leadership capacities. At the time of his death, Mark was serving the Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions as the Evangelism Strategist for Central Alabama. He was also proud to serve on the Board of Directors for Shocco Springs Conference Center. Throughout his ministry, Mark served local Baptist associations and the Alabama Baptist State Convention in various roles as moderator, committee member, and trustee. Beyond his long work in ministry, Mark loved spending time with his family. He loved deer hunting, travel, and cooking. He was a lifelong fan of the University of Alabama. Mark enjoyed NASCAR, beginning as a volunteer with Alabama Raceway Ministries and serving as Director at the time of his death. He is survived by his wife of forty years, Nancy, and three children and six grandchildren; son Matthew Stokes (Lori) of Vestavia (Jack, Lucy, and Oliver), daughter Maria Murray (Ben) of Trussville (Ann Shepard and Henrietta), and son Martin Stokes (Katie) of Prattville (Winnie). He is further survived by his mother, Judy Stokes, of Cleveland, Tennessee, his brother, Tim Stokes (Susan) of Nashille, Tennessee and sisters, Marcia Clement (Manson) of Cleveland, Tennessee, and Beth Brillon of Katy, Texas, and numerous nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father, Rev. Dr. Reginal Stokes. The family would like to extend their thanks to Dr. John Reardon, and the doctors and staff of the Montgomery Cancer Center, the Oncology Unit at Jackson Hospital, Encompass Health and Rehabilitation, and John Knox Manor Home Health. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Myers-Mallory Offering at the Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions. Visitation will be held on Saturday November 16 from 1 pm to 3 pm at Camellia Baptist Church in Prattville, with a funeral following at 3 pm.

Mark Stokes

November 15, 1953 - November 9, 2019