Douglas Stokes

Douglas Dwight “Doug” Stokes, a longtime community and business leader who owned Stokes Construction Company for more than half a century, died July 12, 2023, in his hometown of Albemarle.

Doug was a generous man with an entertaining wit who truly loved his community and its people. Even greater than his prodigious professional career was Doug’s love of his wife, children, grandchildren, and a long list of cherished friends and relatives.

In his spare time, Doug was a talented artist who enjoyed sculpting as well as reading poetry and literature. He was very disciplined physically and exercised every day. One of his greatest joys in life was being a grandfather. He loved nothing more than spending an evening with his wife and family, listening to music, and sipping a Manhattan.

Born to parents Dwight and Ena Snow Stokes, Doug was raised in Albemarle and contributed to his community from an early age. As a young man, he earned the rank of Eagle Scout from Troop 29 in Stanly County. After high school, he attended Wake Forest University where he was a member of the Kappa Sigma fraternity and graduated in 1968 with a Bachelor of Arts in English. He proudly served our country as a Technical Sergeant in the Air National Guard. 

As the owner and operator of Stokes Construction for more than 54 years, Doug’s work reshaped the landscape of his hometown and the surrounding region. Some of the prominent construction projects he led include Atrium Health Stanly Hospital and its adjacent medical facilities, the Pfeiffer University Center for Health Sciences, and the renovation of The Albemarle Hotel.

Doug was a pillar in Albemarle and Stanly County who served on many volunteer boards and committees. He served on the board of directors of Home Savings Bank for 26 years and was on its loan committee. He was also on the board of directors for South Street Financial Corp for 18 years.

Faith was a significant part of Doug’s life. He was a lifelong member of Central United Methodist Church and served many leadership roles, including several years as a trustee of the church.

Doug is survived by his wife of 45 years, Susan Stokes; sons, Ross Stokes and wife Jennifer, Zane Stokes, and stepson John Deere and wife Deanna; grandchildren Garrett, Madeline, and Mallory Deere and Claire, Wray, Nora, and Mason Stokes.

Along with his late parents, Doug was preceded in death by brothers Fred Stokes and Steven Ray Stokes.

The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., Monday, July 17, 2023, at Hartsell Funeral Home of Albemarle. The funeral service will be held 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, July 18, 2023, at Central United Methodist Church, officiated by Rev. Dr. David Blankenberg. A burial will follow at the Fairview Memorial Park.

Memorial contributions may be made to Central United Methodist Church, 172 N. 2nd Street, Albemarle, NC 28001. 

Hartsell Funeral Home of Albemarle is serving the family.