E. Alease "Wheezie" Stokes

Effie Alease Ford Stokes was born on May 14, 1925 in Baltimore, Maryland. She passed away February 3, 2022 at Charter Senior Living in Columbia, Maryland after a brief hospital stay. She was 96. Affectionately known as Wheezie, Alease was the third of five children born to Joseph Alvin Ford and Carrie Elizabeth Ford (nee Marshall). She was educated in the Baltimore City Public School System and received her diploma from Frederick Douglass High School. On April 29, 1956, Alease married Leon Levi Stokes, Jr. Between them they had five children: Ronna Lynnette (Cookie), Bernice Regina, Leon Aaron (Chetty), Daryl Kevin and Dawn L’Tanya (Tiny). She was a housewife, but also worked outside the home, holding various jobs in the service sector, retail sales and management. In 1971, she joined USF&G Insurance Company. She was promoted through the ranks to Senior Policy Rater, the position she held when she retired in 1983. Alease was captivated by music at a young age and was blessed with a beautiful voice. She enjoyed many genres of music, from jazz to gospel. In her early twenties she accompanied world renown jazz vocalist, Dinah Washington, in New York. In her youth, Alease attended Saint Peter Claver Roman Catholic Church. Later in life, she gave her life to Christ and was born again. Now she understood her beautiful voice was more than a talent. Her voice was anointed for service and her talent was actually a ministry assignment. She became a lead vocalist with the Corinthian Gospel Singers and traveled extensively taking the Gospel message. Her signature song was “There’s A Bright Side Somewhere”. As a member of St. Ambrose Church, her ministry continued as she served with the church choir. Alease was always stylish and fashionable. It was extremely important that everything matched impeccably. Not surprisingly, one of her favorite pastimes was shopping. She also had a passion for children. She loved not only her children, but all children. After retirement, she provided safe and nurturing childcare for her grandchildren and the children of friends. In addition to her parents, Alease was preceded in death by her husband, Leon Levi Stokes Jr., her eldest son, Leon Aaron Stokes, her brother, Joseph Orvin Ford and her sisters, Helen Inez Ford, Doris Elizabeth Ford and Mary Marlene Ford. She leaves to cherish her memory, four children; Ronna Matthews (Jerome), Bernice Regina Beale, Daryl Stokes, Sr., Dawn Nicholas (Bruce), 12 grandchildren; Shawn Harris, Charles Beale, Adett Stokes, Daryl Stokes, Jr., Peter Stokes, Howard Nicholas, Aaron Stokes, Miles Stokes, Jessica Matthews, Zachary Nicholas, Joshua Matthews and Jonah Matthews; seven great grandchildren: Ashley Boston, Malia Harris, Journey Harris, Ariyah Harris, Kaviyon Harris, Reid Stokes, Kiley Stokes, a sister-in-law: Lucinda A. Queen, and many cousins and friends.

Tributes

E. Alease "Wheezie" Stokes

May 14, 1925 - February 3, 2022