James Merrell Stokes, Jr.

   James Merrell Stokes, Jr., 76, of 1149 Pine Ridge Road, Merry Hill, NC passed away on Wednesday, July 5, 2017, in his home.

   Mr. Stokes was born in Estill, SC, on December 29, 1940, and was the son of the late James M., Sr. and Lillie Smith Stokes.  Mr. Stokes spent more than 45 years as a commercial truck driver, owned Stokes Trucking for many years, and later transported heavy equipment for Waff Brothers Construction until health problems forced retirement.

   In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by an infant daughter, Rebecca, daughter Sandra, sister Barbara, and brother Wesley.

   Surviving are his wife of 49 years, Annette Lee Stokes; a son, James T. “Jamie” Stokes and wife April of Merry Hill; two daughters, Nancy Smothers, and Beth Morse and husband Leonard, all of Darlington, SC; five grandchildren, Zachery Brickhouse of Merry Hill, and Charles Crawford, Jr., Laura Sanders and husband Terry, Wayne Smothers and wife Brandy, and James Smothers and wife Amber, all of Darlington, SC; and three great-grandchildren, also of Darlington.

   Funeral services will be held Saturday at 11:00 a.m. in the chapel of Miller Funeral Home & Crematory, 735 Virginia Road, Edenton.  Burial with military honors will follow in the Lee Family Cemetery near the home.  Friends may join the family Friday from 7 to 8 p.m. in the funeral home, and other times at the home of his son, 104 Farless Road, Merry Hill.

   In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Community Hospice, 203 Green Street, Suite 203, Williamston, NC 27892.