Nov. 8, 1949 – June 1, 2018

NATCHEZ — Graveside services for James Stokes, 83, of Natchez, who died Tuesday, June 12, 2018 at Merit Health Natchez, will be 1 p.m. Thursday at Greenlawn Memorial Park Cemetery with the Rev. Dillon Wickliffe officiating.

Burial will follow under the direction of Laird Funeral Home.

Visitation will be noon to 12:45 p.m. Thursday at Laird Funeral Home.

Mr. Stokes was born January 21, 1935, in Liberty, the son of Vardaman Shelby Stokes and Grace Smith Stokes.

He was a Mason and served in the United States Air Force. He was an avid bird hunter.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Betty Jo Larson.

Survivors include his wife of 56 years, Sandra Stokes of Natchez; two children: Keith Stokes and wife, Janene, of Baton Rouge and Brenda Gautreaux and husband, Chad, of New Orleans; two grandchildren, Christian Stokes and Shelby Stokes; and one brother, Melvin Stokes and wife, Gwen, of Baton Rouge.

Pallbearers will be Christian Stokes, Grover Yelverton, Mike Durr, Bob Savino, C. B. Craft, Ed Bourdin, Jerry Herring and Rick Omdal.

Honorary pallbearers will be Ray Yelverton, Dwayne Yelverton, Jerry Yelverton, Joel Yelverton, Chad Gautreaux and Gail Stokes.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at lairdfh.com.