Rosalie Stokes

Rosalie Stokes, 83, of Centralia passed away Friday, November 12, 2021, at SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital in Centralia. She was born on May 26, 1938, the daughter of Roger and Ada (Oliver) Vandeveer in St. Louis, Missouri. She married Leonard Stokes on May 3, 1957, in East St. Louis and he preceded her in death on January 9, 1993.

Survivors that will remember Rosalie’s compassionate heart include her beloved family, daughter Kelley Ann Stokes of Centralia; son Todd Stokes and wife Mariann of Chicago; grandchildren Shawn and wife Janet, Jeremy, Jason, Amanda, Dollie, Maegen, Nicole and husband Alex, Michael and wife Dawn, Wyatt, Chelcie, and Chad; great-grandchildren Gregory, Brook, Avery, Donovan, Trinity, Devon, Christopher, Bailey, Kaitlyn, Chloe, and Cyrus; great-great-grandchildren Kymbree, Elliott, Camydan, Hudson, Skylynn, Phoenix, and Deacon; brothers Gary John Johnson and wife Marie of Millry, Alabama, Tracy Roger Vandeveer and wife Mary of Missouri, Robert Stanley Duncan of Millstadt, Illinois, and Mark William Vandeveer and wife Teri of Florissant, Missouri; sister Claudia Lowery and husband Ray Plaster of O’Fallon, Illinois; and many nieces and nephews.

Along with her husband of 35 years, Leonard Stokes, Rosalie was preceded in death by her parents; sister Evelyn Iler; son Dennis Lee Stokes; and grandson Joseph Aaron Stokes.

Rosalie was a dedicated worker, sharing her bookkeeping skills at Biederman’s Furniture Store and the Ben Franklin Store. She worked as a CNA at Swedish Covenant Hospital in Chicago, while going to college for her nursing degree. Upon graduation was able to accomplish her childhood dream of becoming a nurse and was a registered nurse for the Visiting Nurses Associations, and St. Mary’s Hospital in Centralia. She also worked as a surgical nurse at Elk Grove Hospital. Rosalie attended the First Baptist Church in Centralia. She was a faithful member of Greenview Christian Church in Centralia where she appreciated the friendships of her church family and enjoyed being a “grandparent” to the church’s youth. Always one to be of help and volunteer, Rosalie helped with Cub Scouts. An avid St. Louis Cardinals fan, Rosalie never missed an opportunity to cheer on her Cards. She liked to travel to visit many beautiful locations and spend time exploring and relaxing. She had a creative eye and could be found making crafts for her home and her family. Music was a love of Rosalie’s and she spent time listening to her favorite songs. She was a friend to all, never meeting a stranger and making everyone she met feel welcome. Rosalie was devoted to her family and loved each one deeply. She was a wonderful example of hard work, compassion, friendliness, and kindness. 

A celebration of life memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, November 18, 2021, at Greenview Christian Church in Centralia with Brother Claude Howell officiating. Friends may share in a time to offer condolences to the family from 9:00 a.m. until the service time on Thursday at the church. Interment will be at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery in St. Louis, where she will be laid at rest beside her husband, Leonard Stokes. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Rosalie’s honor to the Family’s Wishes and will be accepted for the family at the funeral home. Online condolences and memories of Rosalie may be shared with the family by visiting www.maczfuneralhomes.com and/or on the funeral home’s Facebook page. Irvin Macz Funeral Home in Centralia is privileged to be assisting the family of Rosalie Stokes with arrangements.

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