Dennis Oliver Stokes

Dennis Oliver "Coach" Stokes, age 77, passed away on Friday, November 11, 2022. A visitation will be held in Temple Free Will Baptist Church on Thursday, November 17 from 4:00pm until 5:00pm, with a memorial service following at 5:00pm in the church.

Born on July 27, 1945, in Darlington, SC. Dennis is the son of the late Johnny Austin Stokes, Sr. and Dolly Pearce Stokes. Dennis was a football and baseball Coach for more than 35 years throughout North and South Carolina.  He won a state championship at Richard Winn Academy when Kyle was a senior and Kip was coaching. He became a member of the SC Football Coaches Hall of Fame in 2018.  He was also a student driving teacher for many years. He loved watching football, going places with friends, and going out to eat.

He attended and played football for Mars Hill College; Dennis also served the United States of America in the Air Force for two years in Vietnam.

He is survived by his children, Kip (Melissa Winburn) Stokes and Kyle (Tristen) Stokes, grandchildren, Cassidy, Cecilia, Violet, Connor and two great grandchildren. His brothers Pete and Tommy Stokes.  Special friends and caregivers Teresa Dickerson and Albert Crowley.

In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by siblings, Johnny Stokes, Jr., Daryle Stokes, and Lexi Margret Stokes Collie. He was also preceded in death by the mother of his children, Deborah Mims Stokes.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Temple Free Will Baptist, Debt Retirement Fund, 1660 N. Governor Williams Highway, Darlington SC 29540.