Ora Lee (Carter) Stokes

Mrs. Ora Lee Carter Stokes, 90, of Apex NC and formerly of 6 Bedminster Road Randolph NJ, departed this life January 20, 2019. Born January 8, 1929, she was the daughter of the late James Carter and Edith Jenkins Carter, spending most of her young life in York SC.

Ora Lee or "Doll," as she was lovingly referred to by her family and childhood friends, was the embodiment of what it meant to be a people person. She simply loved to be around people and never met a stranger. Nothing brought her more happiness or put a bigger smile on her face than to gather with friends and family. Ora also loved to try new things, see new places and had a myriad of interests that included, basketball, tennis, trampoline jumping, bowling, softball (of which she was the pitcher for her neighborhood team even into her seventies), arts and crafts and decorating, as she was a phenomenal homemaker, extremely resourceful, a very hard worker and a great life partner. Ora Lee loved to laugh and have fun and had quite a mischievous side, as she loved to joke around and play jokes on the unsuspecting.  But her greatest passions were cooking, exercising, taking pictures, writing beautiful poetry, attending church and flower gardening, as she was gifted with the greenest of green thumbs. While Ora was a member of many organizations over the years, she was most proud of being a member of the Black Heritage Association of Northwest Jersey, where in fellowship with others, she would share and celebrate African American History and Culture with others in the community.

After graduating Jefferson High School in York, SC, Ora relocated up north. She would attend nursing school, graduating the Paterson NJ Department of Education Practical Nurse Program class of 1957. She married George Stokes and lived in Paterson, NJ until she relocated with her young family in the early 70's to Morris County NJ. Ora  thoroughly enjoyed the profession of nursing, as she loved taking care of and bringing comfort to others. She would spend most of her career in private duty nursing, until her retirement in the late 90's.

Mrs.Stokes is predeceased by her brother, sister, and husband.

Surviving to cherish fond memories are a son, Joseph W. Stokes of Fort Mill, SC; a daughter, Lisa Stokes of Apex, NC; niece, Deborah Wright of Charleston, SC; nephew, Paul Wright III (Lisa); close cousins, Meta Wright Waldon of Charleston, SC, and Shantell Burton (Andrew) of Columbia, SC; and godson, Wendell Wright Waldon of Columbia, SC; and a host of loving friends.

Funeral services will be 1:00 pm, Saturday, January 26, 2019 at Wesley United Methodist Church in York, SC.  The Rev. Dr. Anthony Johnson will be the eulogist.

Burial will follow at Uniondale Cemetery in York, SC.

The family will receive friends from 12:00 noon-1:00 pm, prior to the service.

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