Memorial

Dennis Monroe Stokes, 66, of Waynesboro, went to be with the Lord on Friday, February 17, 2017. He was born on August 5, 1950 in Charlottesville to the late Dennis G. Stokes and Betty M. Stokes.

Dennis loved the outdoors, cars, good food, people and spending time with family.  There isn’t a person that he met that he could call a stranger.  Sharing stories about “new friends” that he met was a highlight of many dinner conversations.  A devoted and loving father, he enjoyed cheering on his children from the sidelines of soccer games and rarely missed a school activity.  To say he spoiled his children with the gift of his time and love is an understatement.  He was an expert at causing his granddaughters to burst with laughter from his magic tricks.  Dennis loved a good meal or dessert and would rave about his latest find for days. He enjoyed taking his beloved Miniature Schnauzers, Holly and Gracie, on walks and later in life on “doggy rides.” 

He was a 1968 graduate of Lane High School.  From 1968 to 1972 he attended Madison College in Harrisonburg where he was a member of the Tau Kappa Epsilon Fraternity.  This is also where he met and married the love of his life and wife of 45 years, Donna McClure Stokes. He spent the next 45 years of his life hand-in-hand with his partner and best friend.  Dennis and Donna were inseparable and a true testament to the definition of love.  One of their favorite activities in recent years was visiting Skyline Drive in search of wildlife to photograph. 

After graduating from Madison College with a B.S. Degree in Business Administration in 1972, Dennis went on to serve in the Army as an Information Specialist from 1972 to 1975. 

Following his service in the Army, he worked at Virginia Department of Rehabilitation Services and Virginia Employment Commission as a counselor.  Later he worked as the Vice President of Marketing at Ivy Industries in Charlottesville.  From there he followed a life-long dream of owning his own business, when he began Magic Maids, a residential cleaning service in Charlottesville. After selling his business, Dennis entered “retirement” by working as a sales consultant at McDonough Toyota where he was able to share his love of Toyotas and won the hearts of many customers by being a “non-salesman.”

Dennis was strongly committed to his family and is survived by his daughter, Dana Marie Snead and her husband, Jeffrey; his son, Dennis “Mike” Stokes; granddaughters, Hailey Nicole Stokes and Emily Kathryne Snead; two sisters, Rebecca S. Mabry and Bonnie D. Stokes, both of Charlottesville. 

The family will receive friends to celebrate his life on Saturday, February 25, 2017 from 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm at Cornerstone Church of Augusta. A memory chest will be available for notes and cards.  Note cards will be provided if you would like to write something on site.   

Memorial contributions may be made to TrueMission of Virginia, P.O. Box 477, Stuarts Draft, VA 24477 or Wildlife Center of Virginia, 1800 S. Delphine Ave., Waynesboro, VA 22980.

Share memories and condolences at www.charltonandgroomefuneralhome.com.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     

Becky visiting the table we set up.  Broke our hearts to see her grief and know that she was would also be leaving us soon due to this terrible disease.  She passed away just two months later. 

We worked hard to put together a beautiful slideshow of memories for everyone to watch as they arrived.  There was a table with wildflower packets for visitors to take home and plant in his memory, lots of framed photos, a box for cards and memories, and several candles.

His urn and flag were placed on the stage to view.  We think his urn which is a frame made out of cherry wood turned out beautiful and would be just what he would want.

We served some of his favorite foods from his favorite restaurants.  We had ham biscuits from Stella, Bella, and Lucy's, desserts and fresh fruit from Gateway Cafe, as well as crackers and cheese and of course some sweet tea!

It was amazing to see all of the love that poured into that building as we hugged and laughed and shed a few tears talking about all of our memories.  We ended our exhausting day by going to the cancer center at Augusta Health and ringing the bell to signal that he was finally cancer free.

Only a few days later I honored Dad by wearing my blue for national colon cancer awareness day!