Rufus Stokes

Rufus Stokes Jr., age 95, a resident of Gulfport for 71 years, passed away quietly to be with the Lord on Tuesday, January 10, 2017 at the Veteran's Hospital in Biloxi, MS. He was born in Moundville, Alabama on September 28, 1921.
He was preceded in death by his parents James Rufus Stokes and Fannie Bell (Weeks) Stokes of Tuscaloosa, AL; his three brothers, Leon Stokes of Carriere, MS, James Beuson Stokes of Sellarsburg, IN, and Fred Stokes of Tuscaloosa, AL; and his three sisters, Pauline Hall of Columbus, MS, Mable Seymour of Tuscaloosa, AL, and Ida Belle Murphy of Kenner, LA.
Mr. Stokes is survived by his wife of 75 years, Bernice (Bailey) Stokes; his five children, Janice (Stokes) Bergdoll, Rufus Warren Stokes, Linda (Stokes) Pruitt, Nancy (Stokes) Wessler, and Danny Dale Stokes; his sister, Shelby Jean Smith of Marksville, LA; his eight grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren all of whom he loved very much.
He was a member of First Baptist Church of Gulfport, MS. He was a proud World War II Veteran serving in the United States Army from November 25, 1942 through December 3, 1945 receiving an Honorable Discharge, with continuing service in the Army Reserves. He retired from the Biloxi VA Hospital after working in the Physical Therapy Department for over 35 years. After retirement he enjoyed fishing, hunting and gardening. He loved his wife, children and grandchildren dearly and he will be sadly missed by all.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial contributions be made, in Mr. Stokes' honor, to Biloxi VA Hospice Unit, Niagara Neighborhood Bldg. #15, 400 Veteran's Ave., Biloxi, MS 39531.
A funeral service will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Friday, January 13, 2017 at RIEMANN FAMILY FUNERAL HOME, 274 Beauvoir Road, Biloxi with a visitation for family and friends one hour prior to the service. Burial will follow in Floral Hills Memorial Gardens.
An online obituary may be viewed and memories shared www.riemannfamily.com.