Joseph Stokely

Mr. Joseph (Joe) Marion Stokely, age 82 passed away on Sunday, January 31, 2016 at 2:55 A.M in the Jackson Madison County General Hospital. Funeral Services will be conducted Friday, February 5, 2016 at 2:00 P.M. in Woodland Baptist Church with burial to follow in Woodland Cemetery. Visitation will be Thursday, February 4, 2016, from 4:00 - 6:00 P.M. in the Lea and Simmons Funeral Home and Friday, February 5, 2016, 1:00 - 2:00 P.M. in the Woodland Baptist Church. In his early years, Joe attended Cliff Creek School which was a one room school house, there were only two students in his first grade class and one teacher taught all 8 grades and cooked them lunch. He then attended Woodland School and later graduated from Haywood High School. Joe was a life-long member of Woodland Baptist Church, where he served as a Deacon for many years. He loved his church and church family where generations of Stokely's have attended. He was active in the church serving on many committees including the committee for Preparing The Lord's Supper, the Building Committee, a Trustee, Welcoming Committee, and any place he felt needed. He served in the National Guard of Tennessee and The United States Air Force, He retired from BELLSOUTH/AT&T in 1994 after 39 years of service, he enjoyed flying his private air plane for many years using an air strip in front of his home. He and his daddy also farmed and raised cattle for many years. Joe and Sue were members of Golden Circle Sams camping club and enjoyed trips with them for 10 or more years. He was preceded in death by his parents: George Lee and Hess Thomas Stokely, and a brother-in-law: Joe Cox. He is survived by his wife of 38 years, Sue Clinton Stokely, Brownsville, TN, two sons: Joe (Melissa) Stokely, Lakeland, FL, Tim (Mandy) Stokely, Brownsville, TN, a daughter: Ginger (Doug) Mansell, Tuscumbia, AL, two step daughters: Ann (Samuel) Gardner, Brownsville, TN, and Pam (James) Hathcock, Lakeland, TN, twelve grandchildren: Grace (Branon) Fergie, Maggie (Tyler) Howell, Colleen Stokely, Jack Stokely, Kendyl Cozart, Sydney Cozart, Samantha Cozart, Tom Cozart, Adley Yarbrough, Graham Yarbrough, Lee Stokely and Madison Stokely and two great-grandchildren: Barrett Fergie, Sparrow Stokely and Expecting Clinton Howell due in May, one brother: Bobby (Mary Helen) Stokely Brownsville, TN and a sister: Margaret Stokely Cox, Tallahassee, FL and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Woodland Baptist Church, 885 Woodland Church Road, Brownsville, TN 38012 or Woodland Cemetery, c/o Ilene Barcroft, 955 Hubert Barcroft Road, Brownsville, TN 38012.