Armand Stokes

It is with deep sadness that we share the news of the passing of Armand Stokes, a much-loved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle and friend to many. He passed at St. Frances Medical Center, surrounded with love and gratitude for the life he lived. Armand was a fighter, a provider, a protector…the family patriarch in the truest and finest sense. He was the tree that would not be blown down by the storm. His roots went deep, nurtured by the strength and love of those who went before him and by the company of those who walked beside him through the years. He honored the traditions of old-time respect…always trying to do what he believed was the right thing. He felt love and great pride in his wife, Jean, the other tree that would not be bent by the storm…the one who walked the path with him. Armand was born December 9, 1926, the first child of Murl Morrow Stokes and Walter Madison Stokes, Jr. He grew up in West Monroe, swimming in the river and doing other forbidden things that boys loved to do. At the outbreak of World War II, at the tender age of 16 and much to the distress of his parents, he quit school and joined the Navy to go and fight for his country. He served in the Pacific theater of war aboard an aircraft carrier, the U.S.S Rudyerd Bay as Gunners mate 3Rd. class. He received an honorable discharge upon leaving the service. Armand was well-known, locally, for his work with labor Unions. In conjuction with his job, he successfully completed a series of classes at Harvard University. At the time of his retirement, he was serving as the General Representative for the International Brotherhood of Painters and Allied Trades. He never lost his love for hunting and for the comradery of being at camp with his brothers, sons, grandsons and other pals. Even last year, he could be found in a deer stand (especially constructed for him by his sons)…ever hopeful that something interesting would come his way. For many years, he also had fun with a golf club or a fishing pole in his hands. Among those who will always cherish Armand’s memory are his wife of 66 years, Jean; their three children, Pam Riggin (Ronnie), Kent Stokes, and Scott Stokes (Diana); beloved grandchildren, Ian Stokes, Jason Stokes, Zachary Stokes, Holly Hutson, Joey Riggin (Hannah, Ashlyn, and Adelyn), Laine Mulhearn (Butch, Kallan, and Sarah), and Monica Frost (Bubba, AJ, and Lauren); sister, Anna McCausland Browning, and brother, Lynn Stokes(Georgia) and Glenn Stokes carry in their hearts happy memories of their times together. Armand was preceded in death by his parents; and infant son, Randal Todd; his brother Leon Stokes and his first cousin Fred McMullen. Services will be 2:00 PM, Tuesday, July 19, 2016 at Mulhearn Funeral Home, Sterlington Rd, Monroe, LA. Interment will be at Hasley Cemetery, West Monroe, LA. Visitation will be 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM, Monday, July 18, 2016 at Mulhearn Funeral Home, Monroe, LA. Pallbearers will be Ike Stokes, Jim McCausland, Artie McMullen, Stevie McMullen, Charles Lawrence and Robert Lawrence. Honorary pallbearers are Armand’s grandsons and Heath Stokes.