Carol J. Stokes

Carol Joyce (Redlinger) Stokes was born to Sheldon and Grace (Lipp) Redlinger on October 21, 1936 on Rauch Rd. in Erie, Michigan. She met her loyal, kind, cheerful, and devoted husband Robert Walter Stokes at Whitmore Lake Christian Camp where they spent a night in a rowboat together. They got married on January 15, 1955 and raised their family of four children in South Toledo working hard to provide them with many opportunities to grow while attending church, school, and cultural events, playing sports, taking music lessons, camping together in the summer, spending time with extended family, and serving their community. As a young girl, Carol loved to skate and square dance. She began driving as a teenager. She worked at Bell telephone company, Toledo Scales, the registrar's office at UT, and the French bakery. She sewed for many years, loved sincere conversation with anyone, going shopping for others, playing Chinese checkers, Canasta, or Euchre, having family over after church for Sunday roast beef dinner, singing along to Gospel music or watching Jeopardy with a dish of popcorn or ice cream in hand, and giggling with you about anything. She gathered with her closest girlfriends each year at Christmas time to make our favorite old-fashioned candy, was an excellent organizer, and a house-keeper who could get a stain out of anything. She often counted her blessings aloud while sitting at the table enjoying the flowers and wildlife in her backyard. She always worked really hard to have holiday gatherings at their home that included her delicious homemade pies. She truly CHERISHED every moment spent TOGETHER. Carol always went out of her way and worked hard to LOVE others and show them support however she could. She "kept tabs" on you and would drop what she was doing to pray with you, meet with you, help you solve any challenge, or just give you company as you completed daily tasks. She gave you her full attention and listened with her whole heart. She challenged you to be your very best and supported you to reach your goals. She tenderly cared for each new child in the family and welcomed all of our friends into her home. More than anything, she wanted everyone to know the love of Christ which she showed every day through her dedication, patience, hard work, and thoughtfulness. We will greatly miss her; but we rejoice together knowing she is with our heavenly Father and we will see her again in heaven one day. 1 Corinthians 2:9 "No eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him.” Carol is proceeded in death by her parents Sheldon and Grace (Lipp) Redlinger. Remaining are her loving husband Robert Walter Stokes; children Vicky Colvin, Robert (Vickie) Stokes, James (Julie) Stokes, and Marcia (Ray) Wheeler; 12 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; brother Donald Redlinger; nieces Sherri (Scott) Pochop, Lynell (Milton) Asfahl, Kathy (Jack) Leson, Darlene (Toby) Easter, Sharon (John) Bergland; nephew Tom (Lori) Ball; and each of their families. Friends may call on Saturday May 1, 2021 from 11am -2pm at the Walter Funeral Home, 4653 Glendale Ave., where Funeral Services will begin at 2 pm. Interment will be held privately at a later date.