Glenda Lou (Willard) Stokes
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Glenda Lou (Willard) Stokes, 92, of Lee’s Summit, Missouri, passed away on January 15, 2022 at Cass Regional Medical Center.
Glenda graduated from high school at Thomasville, Missouri and attended college at Bolivar, Missouri. While there, she met Robert (“Bob”) Stokes, the love of her life, and subsequently left school to be with him after he enlisted in the Navy. After the couple returned to Missouri, they lived in southern Missouri and St. Louis before settling in Kansas City. She and Bob were married for 48 years before he succumbed to lung cancer in 1997.
To all who knew her, the most defining characteristic about Glenda was her devotion to God. She was a committed Christian and lived her life in service to God, her church, and those around her. She lived and loved selflessly for her husband and three daughters, helping them all her life in any way she could. Glenda never wanted others to feel alone, and she regularly invited others who otherwise might have been on their own to join her family for holiday dinners.
Glenda enjoyed fishing, gardening flowers and vegetables, painting, sewing, crafts, and being a grandma. When her father and older sister were alive, she loved their fishing outings and held her own against their skill. She enjoyed family trips throughout the United States and Europe. Glenda was an excellent cook and baker, although she never gave herself as much credit for her talent as her family and friends did.
She returned to school when her daughters were nearly grown and earned a degree in early childhood education. For many years, she taught and then led the preschool program at Norfleet Baptist Church. Glenda loved children and taught them with gentle, patient affirmation.
Glenda was an active member of Norfleet Baptist Church for nearly 60 years. She attended until her eyesight diminished and she could no longer drive safely; after that, she attended regular worship services and Bible studies at The Solstice, where she lived.
Glenda was born September 28, 1929 to Wayne Warren and Elfa Dills Willard in southern Missouri. She is survived by her daughters: Sheila Stokes; Sonya Hubbard (Philip); and Sharon Stokes Hotter (Frank); two grandsons: USAF First Lieutenant Robert McKee and Ian Hubbard; a sister, Nina Griffith (Bob); and a beloved sister-in-law who was always more like a sister, Joyce Krasser; nephews and a niece; and other beloved friends. She was predeceased by her husband, Bob; her parents; her older sister and brother-in-law, Rosa Lee and Jerry Switzer; and her brother-in law, Robert (“Bob”) Krasser.
Glenda will always be loved and missed by those who knew her and remembered for her devotion to her Lord, family, friends, and her church.
In lieu of flowers the family suggests contributions to Norfleet Baptist Church, Kansas City, Missouri.
Visits: 3
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Even tho I didn’t know your mother when I did meet her she was a very pleasant woman. I wish I had meet her earlier Iam sure I would have enjoyed visiting with her.
My love for Glenda will always be there. She raised me in norfleet Baptist church and my children too. She was always so quiet, even when she was correcting someone, her patience was beyond even I’ve ever known. She was a great baker… she made Ray and I our wedding cake. Much love to the family left behind but she is now with her father and the loved ones who passed before her. Love always,
Ray and Julie Barber
Our thoughts and prayers go out to Glenda’s family. She was a wonderful blessing to us and many, many others. Glenda was a faithful Christian lady and a joy to know. She had a heart for the Lord Jesus.
Glenda was my role model. What a great example as a Christian she practiced. When I joined her on visitation, i was in awe as she prayed with families.
She was a wonderful cook and I remember fondly how her carrot cake would bid up and up for youth funraisers. She was so surprised when her cake reached $100.00.
She so enjoyed being a grandmother.
I loved her.
Glenda was a shining example of what a wonderful, loving, caring Christian woman should be like. She was always there for us. She and her sister Rosalie delighted in taking us out to eat at the Royals stadium, it was a huge treat for us. I make her carrot cake recipe from time to time and remember fondly her scurrying around in the kitchen, helping wherever she was needed, cooking whatever needed, never complaining, always looking on the bright side. She was Maurice’s mom Juanita’s very best friend for years. We loved her smile, laughter, wisdom, prayers. She was always ministering to me as a pastor’s wife. I will cherish our memories of her forever.
A lovely person and great neighbor of ours in Country Meadows. We visited later at the Carlyle. Deepest sympathy to those she was closest to.