Uncrowned Community Builders

Lucille Lee Stokes was the youngest child born to David Lee, a farmer and itinerant Methodist minister and Leah Foote Lee on January 20, 1905 in Calhoun Falls, Abbeville County, South Carolina. She was one of ten children. In 1924 Lucille moved to Buffalo, New York and was reunited with her sister Sylvia and brother, General. She married James Stokes in 1926.

She became a member of St. John Baptist Church and served on the Usher Board until 1955. Lucille returned to her Methodist roots and joined St. Luke AME Zion Church.

Lucille was employed at the Statler Hotel, Jacob Dold Meat Packing Plant, Curtiss Wright Aircraft Company and later in private homes. She retired in 1968. To assist in the revitalization of the Masten District she served on the Boards of the Buffalo Community Development Organization and Triad. In 1983 she became a volunteer for Meals on Wheels.

She loved traveling. In August 2002, at the age of 97, she attended the family reunion in Denver. She even wanted to go to the reunion this year! She loved being outdoors in the summer while working in her flower garden. One of her favorite sayings was, "Give me my flowers while I can see them." Summer picnics, cooking peach "fried" pies and entertaining her family, especially on her birthday were very special to her. At her table there was always room for one more.

In 2003, after becoming too ill to be cared for in her home of 56 years, Lucille moved into the Niagara Lutheran Home and Rehabilitation Center. At the time of her death, on December 6, 2006, she was 101 years old.

Mrs. Stokes had one daughter, Georgie Stokes Walker, granddaughters, Sandra and Sonia Walker and grandson, Samuel Walker. She also had four great grandchildren and four great great-grandchildren.