Mr. Alvin Jerome “A.J.” Stokes, 63, strutted through the pearly gates on Wednesday, July 31, 2024, with a smile on his face and a joke at the ready.
The youngest of five boys, A.J. was born May 27, 1961, in Nassawadox and raised in Daugherty. Whether you grew up with him, knew him as the Snap-On or Lance “Cracker” man, or ran into him camping at Tall Pines or dining at Off the Rails, A.J. was one of those people you’d meet and could never forget. Some would say it was his dark blue Chevy that made endless rounds at Four Corners in the good old days, others might recognize that one-of-a-kind mustache, but those he really liked would say it was because of his constant picking and jokes. One thing’s for sure, A.J. was always A.J. You never had to guess what he was thinking. If you needed him, he was there, and he could make you laugh like no other.
Conversations with A.J. always included his family, so much so that those who didn’t know them, in fact, did. He loved each and every one of them endlessly and completely, and they knew it. Date nights with April were spent at Off the Rails and local concerts, or wherever the Dusty Vinyl Band was playing. He and Shelby had a bond like no other, and just as anyone would expect, he was the best dad a girl could have. A.J.’s grandchildren were the light of his life, and nothing brought more joy to his heart than making them giggle.
It goes without saying that A.J.’s passing will continue to impact the lives of countless people, but he wouldn’t want you to think of his death, he’d want you to think of his life and preserve his memory as he lived — by spreading love and laughter.
He is survived by his fiancée, April Smith, and his daughter, Shelby Stokes (Ronald), all of Parksley; brothers, Joel Steven “Steve” Stokes Jr., of Daugherty, Burnie Stokes (Brandi), of Sharptown, Md., and Harrell Stokes (Ellen), of Poquoson; grandchildren, Brelynn and Bryson Collison; nieces and nephews, Valerie Bowden, Garrett Stokes, Lindsay Drummond, Casey, Tara, Donnie, and John Stokes, Trista Ross, and Brandy and Carson Stokes; as well as their families; April’s family, inclduing her parents, Roland and Elsie Colona, and her sisters, Carol Bishop and Lisa Ford; and longtime friend, Joan Vickers, of Milton, Del. He is also survived by his dog, Smokie, and cat, Cookie; and a community full of friends who loved him like family.
A.J. was predeceased by his parents, Joel Steven Stokes Sr. and Betty Belle East Stokes; brother, William East “Billy” Stokes; Shelby’s mother, Jennifer Nickerson Stokes; and his best friend, Jim Spencer.
Funeral services were conducted from the chapel of the Williams-Parksley Funeral Home on Wednesday, Aug. 7, at 4 p.m., with the Rev. Mark Howard officiating. Interment followed at the Edgehill Cemetery. There was a visitation at the funeral home on Tuesday, Aug. 6, from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Williams Funeral Home, P.O. Box 1, Parksley, VA 23421, to assist with funeral expenses (GoFundMe).
Memory tributes may be shared with the family at
www.williamsfuneralhomes.com
Arrangements were by the Williams-Parksley Funeral Home.
