RUSSELL M. STOKES Longtime resident of Century Village, West Palm Beach passed away peacefully at Meadow Ridge Health Care Center in Redding, CT on June 7, 2005. He was 99. His wife of 59 years, Leola, predeceased him in 1990. Born in Woburn, MA on August 4, 1905, Mr. Stokes was a son of Burton and Emma (MacConnell) Stokes. He graduated from Northeastern University in Boston and for many years served in management positions at Montgomery Ward and G. Fox & Co. in Hartford, CT. In the late 1940's he changed careers to become sales manager for Burr & Co., a large wholesale nursery located in Manchester, CT. Years later, he purchased Wood Howell Nursery Co of Bristol, VA and he and his wife moved to Bristol in 1960 where they resided happily until retiring to Florida in 1988. Mr. Stokes was an active member of the Kiwanis Club of Bristol and The First Baptist Church. After moving to West Palm Beach, he remained very active. He was an avid duplicate bridge player and very accomplished at billiards. Mr. Stokes was also a devoted member of the First Baptist Church of West Palm Beach where he served as head usher until several months ago. He is survived by his sons, Russell M. Stokes, Jr. of Frederick, MD and his wife, Nan, and Donald B. Stokes of Weston, CT and his wife, Karen; three grandchildren, Lauren, Russell III, and Amanda; great grandson, Alexander; and his longtime companion Rose Sand. Friends may visit with the family between the hours of Noon until 1:30 PM on Saturday, June 11, 2005 at QUATTLEBAUM FUNERAL HOME, 1201 South Olive Avenue, West Palm Beach. Graveside Services will follow at 2:00 PM at Woodlawn Cemetery, West Palm Beach. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Senior Adult Fund at the First Baptist Church of West Palm Beach. QUATTLEBAUM FUNERAL HOMEFamily Owned and Operatedwww.Quattlebaum.org

Published by The Palm Beach Post on Jun. 9, 2005.