Patricia Vestal Stokes' Obituary
Patricia “Pat” Vestal Stokes, a Texas native who loved to sing in church and bake pies, passed away Friday, October 2, 2020, at Presbyterian Hospital in Dallas with her family at her side. She was 85 but seemed forever young, socializing, baking and doing her nightly situps. She loved to take cruises with her husband of 67 years, Robert Cecil Stokes, whether it was in the Caribbean or, more recently, to the Mediterranean.
Pat was born in Dallas on April 14, 1935, the oldest daughter of Zetherine and David Vestal, who named her Patricia Ellen. Pat, who was always coiffed and dressed perfectly, appeared in style shows when she was young. She acted in school and church plays all her life. She adored entertaining and cooking for others, but was most famous for her pies, especially her cream pies, which made her much in demand around the Christmas holidays.
She married her husband Robert in 1953 and they lived in Brownsville and Waco before moving back to Dallas. While Robert rose in the ranks of the Dallas Independent School District, Pat was secretary for the treasurer of Sears, Roebuck and Co. (Southwest territory) and later, secretary and office manager for the VP of Vantage Co. real estate developers. When she and Robert “retired,” they owned and operated two cleaning and laundry stores, Comet Cleaners in Mabank and Bell Cleaners in Canton, Texas. She sang not only in her church choir, most recently at First Baptist Church of Garland, but also at civic events. At First Baptist, she also belonged to the all-women’s G.I.F.T. Class. Her faith was very important to her.
Pat is survived by her husband Robert and two children, Cynthia Stokes Parker (husband Alan Dale Parker) and Robert-Charles “Rob” David Stokes, as well as two grandchildren, Shanda May Thomas (husband Joel Brandon Thomas) and Keenan Lee Barksdale. Pat loved all her children equally, but she loved her grandchildren “more equal,” her daughter Cindy said. She had two great grandchildren, Reagan Mackenzie Thomas and Jackson Benjamin Thomas. Pat’s younger sister Sandy Vestal Roche, married to Fred Roche, died before her. Pat’s nieces will miss her: Dee Wright Morris (Bob Morris), Robin Matthews (Gary Matthews), Meshel Ellingburg (Charles Ellingburg) and Cathy Edwards Thomas (George Thomas).
Services will be held at 10Am, Thursday, October 8, 2020, in the chapel at First Baptist Church Garland, 801 W. Avenue D, Garland, TX 75040. Instead of flowers, donations can be made to the First Baptist Church of Garland, Music Department.
What’s your fondest memory of Patricia?
What’s a lesson you learned from Patricia?
Share a story where Patricia's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Patricia you’ll never forget.
How did Patricia make you smile?