Patricia Kelly Stokes

Patricia Kelly Stokes, known affectionately as Patsy, passed away peacefully on March 11, 2026, at the age of 85, surrounded by her family. Born on June 21, 1940, in Rocky Mount, North Carolina, to Myrtle J. Kelly and Daniel B. Kelly, she spent her early years in North Carolina before moving with her family to Lake Wales, Florida. There, she met and later married her neighbor, Bobby Stokes, on August 18, 1961.

Patsy earned degrees from Erskine University, Florida State University, and a Master’s from the University of South Florida. She dedicated nearly thirty years to education as a teacher and guidance counselor. She was actively involved in the Junior League of Greater Lakeland, the Heritage Antique Club, Bok Tower Gardens, and remained a devoted member of First United Methodist Church. She found great joy in antiques, gardening, spending time with family and friends, and visiting relatives in North and South Carolina.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Myrtle J. Kelly and Daniel B. Kelly, her husband Robert Glenn Stokes, and her nephew Marty Johnson. Patsy is survived by her son Jeffrey and his wife Kim Pleasants, her daughter Jenny Kay, her granddaughter Katherine Stokes, her sister Alice Kelly, Bobby Johnson, her niece Kelly Marie Johnson, her nephew Brently Johnson, and her cousin Kay Lanier.