Sybil Juanita Ivey Stokes, daughter of Jessie Ivey, was born in Kaufman, Texas on January 16, 1913. She attended school in her hometown through the first grade and then moved to South Dallas to complete her education. She started working at an early age. In the course of her employment, she met and fell in love with a farmboy, Tipton Alexander Stokes, who was from West Texas. On March 12, 1930, they embarked on their journey together as husband and wife. They eventually became the proud parents of three boys, Kenneth, Wayne and Mickey Don.
In the 1930’s, Sybil began teaching Sunday school at Cleveland Street Baptist Church. The family settled in Oak Cliff the following decade and became members of Wynnewood Baptist Church. Sybil spent her time making her home a welcoming place and enjoyed beautifying her yard and baking delicious pastries.
Sybil and Tipton enjoyed a fulfilling marriage of 52 years until his passing in 1982. They raised their three sons together and certainly enjoyed seeing the adventures of their 9 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren and 7 great-great grandchildren over the years. Sybil lived at home on Casino Drive in Dallas until she was 101 years old, still doing the things she loved like visiting with her friends, attending church and Sunday School, watching her Texas Rangers and getting together with the Stokes family on every possible occasion. In the last few years, Sybil had made many friends and was well-loved by the staff at The Villages of Dallas Nursing Home. She passed away peacefully in her sleep on the afternoon of August 2, 2019 surrounded by song, family and friends.
Sybil was a source of tremendous inspiration. For all who had been fortunate enough to know her, she was able to share the wisdom that she gained by living over a century of life. Sybil was never shy to tell you how special you were to her. She had a generous spirit with enough love to share with every person who crossed her path. She honored God through all that she would do and say. There was no doubt that her love for Jesus was paramount in her life.
May Sybil’s memory live long among us and be a source of strength for all who were blessed by knowing her.
