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TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR REVEREND ROBERT JAMES STOKES, PASTOR OF MT. HORR AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH ON YONGES ISLAND, AS HE RETIRES AFTER YEARS OF EXEMPLARY MINISTRY AND TO WISH HIM CONTINUED SUCCESS AND HAPPINESS IN ALL HIS FUTURE ENDEAVORS.
Whereas, the members of the South Carolina General Assembly have learned that Reverend Robert James Stokes will begin a well-deserved retirement after years as a minister and community leader, the last of which have been as the revered pastor of Mt. Horr African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church; and
Whereas, the son of the late Lawrence II and Albertha Stokes, he studied at Armstrong College, the University of Hartford, and L. R. Nichols Seminary and completed several certifications and advanced technical and leadership programs; and
Whereas, after an honorable discharge from the United States Army, Reverend Stokes served the transit industry with Greyhound and continued to develop his career in information technology in various industries until he retired as an information technology manager with the South Carolina State Ports Authority; and
Whereas, dedicated to his community, he has engaged in civic duties as a grassroots advocate for community empowerment, encouraging voter registration, social justice, and economic issues in minority communities, especially among youth and young adults; and
Whereas, for twelve years, Reverend Stokes served three terms as president of the Snowden Community, raising community funds to build a basketball court and receiving nonprofit grants to construct a community center that could house childcare services to provide gainful employment for community residents; and
Whereas, affectionately known in his childhood community as Rev, he served faithfully in his home church in music, administration, and teaching, a precursor to his pastoral ministry. In three successful pastoral charges, he led community and civic action and established technology-education centers. In his final pastoral charge, he has led Mt. Horr AME Church to become debt free and helped to establish such community efforts as summer camps and political forums; and
Whereas, a lifetime NAACP member and participant of the Black Voter Registration initiative, he served in influential establishments, including the Governor's Advisory Council for Rural Development, Charleston Ministerial Alliance, and Charleston Election Council, and as an advisor for Berkeley County Youth Department; and
Whereas, Reverend Stokes and his beloved wife, the former Victoria Habersham, reared two fine daughters, Dr. Cheryl Ann Stokes Moore (Reverend Terrence Moore Sr.) and Reverend Karen Denise Reed (Reverend Dr. Anthony Reed Sr.). These daughters have blessed their parents with the affection of five grandsons. Along with his adult daughters and his son-in-law Reverend Terrence, he has engaged in international ministry to St. Lucia, Nigeria, India, Germany, Canada, South Africa, and England; and
Whereas, grateful for years of dedication that Reverend Stokes has devoted to ministry, the General Assembly takes pleasure in extending best wishes to him as he transitions to a richly deserved retirement and the leisurely pace of the days ahead. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring:
That the members of the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina, by this resolution, recognize and honor Reverend Robert James Stokes, pastor of Mt. Horr African Methodist Episcopal Church on Yonges Island, as he retires after years of exemplary ministry and wish him continued success and happiness in all his future endeavors.
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Reverend Robert James Stokes.
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