Theresa Mae Stokes-Johnson

On August 21, 1922, in the city of Lakeland, Florida, Mr. James and Mrs. Susie A. Stokes became the proud parents of a daughter, who they named Theresa Mae Stokes. She became the object of their affection. Shortly after her birth they moved to the City of Apopka, Florida; where she attended elementary school until the fourth grade. Eventually they moved to Orlando, Florida, where she completed her education and graduated from Jones High School. In pursuit of a higher education, Ms. Johnson enrolled in Bethune Cookman College; which is now Bethune Cookman University. She received a Bachelor of Science degree in Social Studies and Elementary Education. Her minor was Physical Education in Health Education. There was little doubt that she was a BCU Wildcat through and through. It became a family tradition that on the day of the Florida Classic that she would dress in her BCU T-shirt and sometimes a hat. She and her beloved cousin “Sonny” and his wife Vermell would go out for a Florida Classic breakfast. She looked forward to their visits and enjoyed making homemade baked beans for Sonny and okra and tomatoes for Vermell. Upon graduating from BCU, she was employed by Orange County Public Schools, where she was an Educator for many years. In 1985, she retired and echoed that she was “enjoying life to the fullest". She married for a brief time. Like her mother, she immersed herself in working in the Church and served in numerous capacities at her beloved Mt. Olive AME Church. For 30 years, she served on the Steward Board, was President of Lay Organization, Chairperson of the Calendar Club and Pulpit Aid Board. Ms. Johnson also served as the Chairperson for the Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Prayer Breakfast. Additionally, she served as a volunteer at Lucerne Hospital, Meals on Wheels, and Eccleston Elementary School. She was also a past member of the Order of the Eastern Star, The Over 30 Club, The Silver Leaf Club and the National Council of Negro Women. When she was traveling, she looked forward to her yearly trip to Detroit, Michigan; where she still owns a home. For Theresa Mae Stokes Johnson, it truly was a wonderful life. She was preceded in death by her parents, Mr. James and Mrs. Susie A. Stokes and one sister. Ms. Johnson is survived by several cousins: John “Sonny” Leslie (Vermell) of Macon, Georgia and Clarence L. Baskin, Jr. (Susan) of Fort Washington, Maryland; Johnny Stokes of Warner Robins, Georgia, Marilyn Perkins of Apopka, Florida; other relatives: Dana N. Leslie of Kansas City, Missouri; David W. Baskin, Daniel A. Baskin, and Douglas I. Baskin, all of Fort Washington, Maryland, as well as a host of extended family and special friends.

Tributes

Theresa Mae Stokes-Johnson

August 22, 1923 - October 2, 2019