Richard "Smokey" Stokes

NEW IBERIA – Funeral Services will be conducted for Mr. Richard “Smokey” Stokes, age 82, at 3:00 pm on Friday, May 20, 2016 at Evangeline Funeral Home with Rev. Roland Fontenot officiating. Interment will follow at Nativity of Our Lady Mausoleum with military services by the Iberia Parish Veteran Honor Guard

Visitation will be held on Friday from 10:00 am until service time in the funeral home.

A native Louisville, KY and resident of New Iberia, Mr. Stokes passed away on Tuesday, May 17, 2016 at Magnolia Estates in Lafayette.

Born on September 13, 1933 to the late Fulton Dillard and Lorraine Richards Stokes, Richard was one of two children.

Mr. Stokes proudly served his country in the US Navy during the Korean Conflict. He also served in the US Coast Guard. Richard enjoyed a long career in law enforcement until his retirement at the age of sixty-two.

Smokey, as he was better known by, had a passion for collecting coins and teddy bears. He also enjoyed feeding the birds and squirrels near his home and going outside to smoke his pipe. Richard was a devoted and loving husband, father, and grandfather. His grandchildren were his pride and joy. Richard loved to share stories with them at every chance he got. He will be deeply missed by all those who knew and loved him.

He is survived by his wife of fifty years, Sadie Girouard Stokes; sons, Raymond Dore and wife Carolyn Dore of Lafayette, A.J. Dore and wife Carolyn Bonin Dore of New Iberia, and Rodney “Tuffy” Dore and wife Ruth of Lafayette; daughters, Kitty Stokes and husband Rex, Jr. of Breaux Bridge and Stephanie Stokes Charaf and husband Sam of Seattle, WA; grandchildren, Rachael Dore, Roxanne Rodman, Rosalyn Hawkes, Ryan “Scooter” Dore, Reid Dore, Robin Dore, Shannon Segura, Sean Dore, Ashley Hollier, Nicole Dore, Josie Weatherly, Louis Stokes, Rex Stokes, III., Joe Stokes, Sam Charaf, and Oliver Charaf; sister, Delilah Foster of Columbus, MO; and half-brother, Lucky Stokes of Alexandria, VA.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Fulton Dillard and Lorraine Richards Stokes; grandson, Richard Dore; daughter-in-law, Toni Dore; and brother-in-law, William Foster.

Pallbearers will be Blaze Weatherly, Sean Dore, Joe Stokes, Sam Charaf, A.J. Dore, Rex Stokes, Jr., Raymond Dore, and Ryan “Scooter” Dore.

Honorary pallbearer will be Rodney “Tuffy” Dore.

The family would like to extend heartfelt thanks to niece, Emma Melancon, who has been Smokey’s guardian angel for many years; and to his extended church family at Trinity Baptist Church, especially Pastor Roland Fontenot and his wife Sandra for the years of fellowship, love, and community.

To view on-line obituary, video tribute and sign the guest register, please visit www.evangelinefuneralhome.com.

Evangeline Funeral Homes, Inc. of New Iberia is in charge of arrangements.