Juanita Stokes

Juanita Brown Stokes was born October 3, 1940 to Ollie Boclair and Warren Brown in Grenada, Mississippi.

Juanita made her transition on Wednesday, May 13, 2026 at The Pearl of Joliet Nursing Home in Joliet, Illinois.

Juanita confessed Christ as her Lord and Savior at an early age and was baptized in Grenada, Mississippi at Jackson Chapel M.B. Church.

Juanita graduated from Carrie Dotson High School.  After graduating, she moved to Joliet, Illinois where she became of member of St. Paul M.B. Church. She later married Cleveland Stokes Sr., and to this union three sons were born: Kenneth, Eric and Cleveland Jr.

Juanita later joined Mt. Zion Baptist Church where she remained a faithful member until her illness.  She sang with the Voices of Zion and the Women’s Chorus.  She also worked faithfully in service and in the kitchen under the leadership of Pastor Isaac Singleton Sr.

Juanita worked 37 years at Caterpillar, retiring in 1999.  While employed there, she returned to school and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Management from the University of St. Francis in 1986.  She also taught in District 96 and worked as a bus driver.

Juanita loved working in her garden and caring for her yard.  She enjoyed baking cakes for family and friends and was especially known for her caramel and german chocolate cakes.  Each year before her illness, she lovingly made peach preserves.  Juanita was also the life of the party – always laughing, joking about “back in the day,” and enjoying card games, especially bid whiz.  She also enjoyed traveling. She was the Madea of the family, and she will be missed dearly.

Juanita was preceded in death by her two sons, Eric and Cleveland Stokes Jr.; one grandson, Kenneth Stokes Jr.; her mother, Ollie Christine Kimble; her stepfather, Dewitt Kimble; and her brother, Armour Woods.

She leaves to cherish her memory; her son, Kenneth (Yvonne) Stokes Sr.; her goddaughter, Andrenna Terry; two daughters-in-law, Barbara Stokes and Cynthia Aprill; two sisters-in-law, Annie Woods and Annie Williams; three brothers-in-law, Joe, Sam and Reginald Stokes; six grandchildren, Joshua, Jessica, Martin, Te’a, Eric Jr., and Jarrale (Natalia); three great grandchildren, Zoey, Braylen and Nia; her special friends,  Maggie Lively, Jereldine Rucker and Everree Valentine; and a host of cousins, nephews, nieces and friends.

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