Evelyn Cynthia Stokes

EVELYN CYNTHIA STOKES, beloved daughter of the late Mary Jenkins Lassiter (Viola Jenkins Lassiter) and of Carl Melton Lassiter, was born on September 9, 1931 in Ahoskie, North Carolina. She departed this life on August 18, 2022, after living a full and beautiful life. Cynthia, also fondly called “Baby Girl” by family and friends, was educated in the Ahoskie Public School System, graduating from Robert L. Vann High School. Following in the footsteps of her older sister, Theora, upon graduation, Cynthia moved to Baltimore City where she worked as a nursing assistant, drawing upon the well of compassion she had for others. In addition to her passion for helping others, she also had a passion for sewing. Her exemplary sewing skills led to her being hired as a seamstress in several of Baltimore’s highly regarded garment factories. In 1951, she met the love of her life, James Edward Stokes, whom she and others affectionately called “Buck”. On February 21, 1953, they married and settled into the Rosemont Neighborhood of West Baltimore as Cynthia continued to pursue her education at Coppin State Teacher’s College. Her time at Coppin was cut short as she decided to focus on expanding her family, welcoming the births of daughters Chris and Maria. Cynthia was the ultimate homemaker and mother…sewing the girls’ clothes, arranging family vacations, stressing the importance of education, and setting the example of love for others. Cynthia always believed in serving the community and within their fifty-eight years living in the Rosemont Neighborhood, she was very actively involved, serving as a member of the Rosemont Improvement Association, as one of the founding members of the Parent-Teacher Community Association, and was heavily involved in procuring voting rights for fellow Black community members and registering Black citizens to vote. Cynthia’s community engagement extended to ensuring the success of the next generation as well, working as a long-term substitute teacher and teacher’s aid within the Baltimore City Public School System. If there was ever a child in need, her unwavering caring nature drove her to help them. In March 2011, James and Cynthia moved to the Charlestown Senior Living Community where they were happy, relaxed and enjoyed the fruits of their labor. God blessed this union to survive just three months short of sixty years. Having been raised in a Christian home, Cynthia was a devout Christian who, along with her loving husband, Buck, instilled those values in their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. For thirty years she was a dedicated member of Brown’s Memorial Baptist Church, serving as a member of the Junior Matrons, a member of the Senior Choir, and as a Deaconess. Cynthia, Buck, and their daughters regularly attended Wednesday Altar Service, Friday Night Prayer Meeting, and formed an extended family of church members who remained an influential part of their lives. After moving their membership to Whitestone Baptist Church, where Cynthia was active in Bible Study, she continued to always provide her service whenever needed. In 1998, she and Buck joined Douglas Memorial Community Church, her final church home. Although age limited her participation in church activities, she enjoyed regularly attending noon Bible Study, and being a member of the Altar Guild and the J.O.Y. Seniors. You could always count on seeing her sitting at the end of the pew, halfway up the center aisle for Sunday service! Cynthia deeply loved God, family, and church. She was an extremely proud grandmother and great-grandmother. She especially enjoyed the time spent with family throughout the week, on holidays and at special family gatherings. Cynthia’s siblings, nieces and nephews always knew they could count on her to be there for anything they needed. Cynthia leaves to cherish her memory: two loving and devoted daughters, Chris Cephas and Maria Stokes; one son in-law, Charles W. Cephas, Jr.; four grandsons, Brandon, Christopher (Tygerian), Jonathan and Charles Wesley; two great-grandchildren, Skyler and Mason; one sister, Shirley Gordon; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Walter “Ronnie” and Maryjane Stokes; sisters-in-law, Helen Augins and Dorothy Stokes; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

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Evelyn Cynthia Stokes

September 9, 1931 - August 18, 2022