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SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION 235
By Walley
SJR0235
005323
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A RESOLUTION to honor the memory of Meredith Ann Stokes.
WHEREAS, the members of this General Assembly were greatly saddened to learn of
the passing of Meredith Ann Stokes; and
WHEREAS, Meredith Stokes was an exemplary public servant and consummate
professional who worked assiduously to improve the quality of life for her fellow citizens in
numerous capacities; and
WHEREAS, born in Clinton, Indiana, to Dora Brown and James Denzel Hartman on
December 19, 1937, Mrs. Stokes moved to Illinois with her family while she was still young, and
she graduated from Georgetown High School in 1955, working thereafter for Illinois Bell
Telephone as a long-distance operator; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Stokes went on to earn a degree in elementary education from Eastern
Illinois University, and utilizing the wealth of pedagogical knowledge gathered from experience
and education, she masterfully taught in multiple Vermilion County schools, although she most
fondly recalled her stints at Harrison Grade School, Vermilion Grove Grade School, and
Wingard Grade School; and
WHEREAS, she married her high school sweetheart, Joseph D. Stokes, on January 1,
1956, a landmark occasion that would signal the beginning of over sixty-one joy-filled family
years; and
WHEREAS, an avid bowler, Mrs. Stokes held offices in the Ridge Farm, Robinson,
Rantoul, Effingham, and Danville bowling leagues, and displaying her remarkable skill and
determination on myriad lanes, she won two 600 star jackets from Effingham and a 269 ring
from K. Bowl; and
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WHEREAS, she always appreciated traveling for tournaments, at both state and national
levels, and she bowled in her last league, the Senior Citizen League at Lincoln Lanes, for over
twenty years, concurrently creating abundant and abiding friendships; and
WHEREAS, her love of sports also extended to University of Illinois football and
basketball, as well as the Chicago Cubs and Chicago Bears; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Stokes and her husband loved to expand their horizons through varied
travels, including to Alaska, Hawaii, China, Germany, the Netherlands, and Panama, and they
always enjoyed a cruise or a casino whenever the opportunity arose; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Stokes will be sadly mourned but fondly remembered by her son, Gary
Joe (Gayle Oberle) Stokes; her daughter, Jayne Ann (Danny) Dann; her granddaughter, Kayla
Jo Dann; her great-granddaughter, Lyla Jayne; her sister, Judith (Jim) Erdmann; her sister and
best friend, Janet Sue (Ray) Landskroner; special cousins, Barb (Jim) Morgan and Harold K.
Hartman; and several nieces and nephews; and
WHEREAS, she was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph D. Stokes; her parents;
and her brother, Gary Denzel Hartman; and
WHEREAS, Meredith Stokes leaves behind an indelible legacy of integrity and probity in
public life, compassion and loyalty in private life, and diligence and dedication in all her chosen
endeavors; and
WHEREAS, it is fitting that the members of this General Assembly should pause to
remember the bountiful life of this exceptional public servant and human being; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED FOURTEENTH
GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE, THE HOUSE OF
REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING, that we honor the memory of Meredith Ann Stokes,
reflecting fondly upon her impeccable character and her stalwart commitment to living the
examined life with courage and conviction.
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BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that we express our sympathy and offer our condolences
to the family of Mrs. Stokes.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that an appropriate copy of this resolution be prepared
for presentation with this final clause omitted from such copy and upon proper request made to
the appropriate clerk, the language appearing immediately following the State seal appear
without House or Senate designation.