Reverend Ronald Dudley Stokes, age 79, of Buford, Georgia, passed away on Saturday, March 2, 2024.

Ron Stokes was born on October 26, 1944 to the F.C. Stokes and Gertrude Edith Webster in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. He grew up in Etowah, Tennessee. His family attended North Etowah Baptist Church where he accepted the Lord and was baptized.

Mr. Stokes attended and graduated from McMinn County High School. He also attended college at Tennessee Tech University obtaining a Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education, Middle Tennessee State University obtaining a Masters of Education Administration, and Southwestern Theological Seminary obtaining a Masters of Religious Education. While in high school, he obtained his Eagle Scout ranking.

During his time working in public education, he taught at Castle Heights Military Academy, Coldwater Elementary School, Cleveland Day School, and then was assistant principal at Englewood Elementary School. While in seminary, he served at Pleasant View Baptist Church in Bridgeport, Texas. After graduating from seminary, he served at Lakeside Baptist Church in Oxford, Alabama, and Monte Vista Baptist Church in Maryville, Tennessee. While on staff at Monte Vista, he answered the call to home missions and headed west. There he served as Minister of Education through Mission Service Corps at First Baptist Church in Hamilton, Montana. He was the church developer for the Glacier Baptist Association in Missoula, Montana. He then went to serve as church developer for the Interstate Baptist Association in Washington and Oregon.

He was preceded in death by his parents, F.C. and Gertie Stokes and his son-in-law, Craig Alan Hyde.

Mr. Stokes is survived by his wife of 20 years, Judith Williams Stokes; daughter, Alisa Jane Stokes Hyde; son, Ronald Curt Stokes (Tammy); stepsons, William C. Lomel ll (Yara) and A. Brian Lomel (Angela); brother, Bobby Stokes (Barbara); sisters, Marsha Hufford (Steve) and Nina Russell (Rodney); grandchildren, Cassady Hyde, Alex Stokes, Ali Hyde, Elle Stokes, Ella Jayne Hyde, Elise Feldman (Ben), Emily Lomel, Phillip H. Lomel, William P. Lomel; and great-grandchildren, Leiora Feldman, Colvie Feldman, and Carter Gates.

He was a member of Hebron Baptist Church. He enjoyed being outdoors and going hiking and camping. He especially enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren.

Memorial Services will be held on Saturday, March 16, 2024 at 1:00 p.m. at Bordwine Funeral Home in Etowah, Tennessee.