Norma Gladys Stokes

Norma Gladys Stokes, née Davis, was born in Norwood, CO, on August 4th, 1933, to Lloyd and Sara Davis.

She was fond of telling the story of the first few days after her birth, when she was small enough to fit in a shoebox, which her parents did to keep her warm near the stove. She passed from this life peacefully on May 14th 2024 after a brief illness, as she entered this life: surrounded by her family who tried to make her as comfortable as possible. She was proceeded in death by her husband, Fredrick M Stokes, and her daughter Sara R Brennan. She is survived by her brother, Wayne Davis of Delta, CO, and her sons, Stephen M Stokes and David A Stokes, as well as numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Never one to gossip, she had little use for those who do. Norma brought a smile to all who met her, and had friends beyond counting. She considered everyone she met a potential friend. She was the last of a close-knit group of friends who met during the mid-nineteen fifties. Though their lives took them from Grants, NM and Grand Junction, CO to places as diverse as Hobbs, NM, Pagosa, CO, and even New York State, they remained in contact for the rest of their lives. Many a night was filled with laughter and good-humored banter while paying cards or bingo, and especially dancing. They were there for one another through the hard times too, and any one of them would (and did however many miles to help.

She taught us valuable lessons without even trying. That was one of Norma's best, most enduring qualities: her no-nonsense, plain way of being. There was a profound honesty in her, a loving, simple warmth that created space for you to to be exactly who you are. She also was exactly herself, too, and affected little pretense. She simply welcomed you in and offered you food, or drink, or card games with kindness and genuine care.

And Norma loved card games, without doubt. As we've been sorting through her things, we have found more playing cards than we could count. She collected many things over her 90 years, and from what we've found, many of her most treasured items were mementos from loved ones or family history.

Family was deeply important to her, and it shone from her like light whenever we got together.

We are grateful to have shared in her light for the time we were given.