Phillip A. Stokes

Philip A. Stokes, 85, of Atlanta, GA died Feb. 12, 2009. A native of Darlington SC, he was the son of the late Thomas and Mattie Stokes. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 55 years, Kathryn Garland Stokes, son Philip Stokes, Jr., brother Orville Stokes, brother in laws David G. Garland and George Brown; and nephew David Garland III. He is survived by son and daughter in law Thom and Cathy Stokes, and two granddaughters Sarah and Jenna Stokes of Lawrenceville, GA; sister Gene Brown and family of Cumming, GA; and sister in law Jane Garland and family of Johnson City, TN. Upon graduation from high school he attended Clemson University until being called into service in the Army in WWII. He left military service as a First Lieutenant with the 8th Armor Division. After the war, he returned to Darlington where he began a career in market research with the Dixie Cup Corporation. A transfer with Mead Paper Company brought he and his family to Atlanta in the early 60s. He later worked with Scientific Atlanta until his retirement as a national sales manager. A second career began in 1982 with the start of Stokes and Son Property Management Company in Atlanta, and the D.G. Garland Agency in Johnson City, TN. Phil was a devoted husband and father, and an extraordinary proud and joyful grandfather. He was a humble, self-made man who became an astute and loyal businessman. He was an avid reader and informed consumer of all things relating to property management; and a staunch supporter of local residential zoning rights in Atlanta. A gifted problem solver, Phil could fix anything mechanical and enjoyed tinkering in his workshop. He served locally as a deacon at Mt. Vernon Presbyterian Church and was on the Board of Directors of Dantes Down The Hatch restaurant in Atlanta. A graveside service will be held at Happy Valley Memorial Park, Elizabethton, on Monday, Feb. 16 at 11:00 am. Family and friends are asked to meet at the cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made for youth missions at Cannon United Methodist Church, 2424 Webb Gin House Rd., Snellville, GA 30078