Marian Kay (Harris) Stokes

Marian Kay Stokes (Harris) died of natural causes at the age of 88 on December 31, 2020 in Columbus, Georgia.

Marian was born on December 21, 1932 in South Amboy, New Jersey, to Daniel Dorchester Harris and Evelyn Marian Schwall.  She attended the Westminster Choir College in Princeton, New Jersey, where she met her husband of 65 years, Arthur Ferrell Stokes.  At Westminster, Marian majored in organ and piano performance.  As a choral student at Westminster, she performed in numerous venues including Carnegie Hall in New York City.

Upon graduation, Marian and Arthur began their careers in church music, often working together as organist and choir director, respectively. They served congregations in states spanning the country, including Alabama, Texas, Oklahoma, Ohio, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, and finally at the Kirk of Kildaire in Cary, North Carolina, before retiring in 1997.  She also taught piano lessons and provided vocal music and instrumental accompaniments for other musical groups.

In addition to her lifelong passion for music, Marian had a talent and zeal for creative arts including sewing, counted cross stitch, knitting, and crocheting.  She created countless art pieces and functional items for her friends and family—memorializing significant life events in needlepoint such as births, graduations, marriages, and career achievements.  She also annually produced dozens of knitted socks, caps, and scarves to contribute to the Seamen’s Church Institute’s “Christmas at Sea” program.

Ever the intellectual, Marian was an expert at crossword puzzles and the gameshow Jeopardy.  She had a mind full of facts, dates, family memories, and world events.  She also had an opinion about most anything and was happy to engage in energetic debate with anyone up for the challenge.

She is survived by her husband, Arthur Ferrell Stokes, her three children Laura Jennings (Biff), Catherine Tommey (Paul), and Daniel Stokes, three grandchildren, Aaron, Heather (Eddie), and Cameron, and two great grandchildren, Caroline and Beau.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be sent in Marian’s name to the Seaman’s Church Institute at https://donate.seamenschurch.org/give.