Frances Cole Stokes

Frances “Tunkie” Cole Stokes, passed away on Thursday, February 19th, 2026, at the McLeod Hospice House in Florence SC.

She was born on August 20th, 1938 in Greenville, South Carolina to the late Richard Ansel Cole and Mozelle White Cole. She met and married the love of her life Sam Watson Stokes, Sr in Pickens. Tunkie graduated from Pickens High School then finished Columbia College. She was a successful entrepreneur and teacher, partnering in two successful businesses and teaching commercial cooking at the Pickens County Vocational School. She was a wonderful cook, loved reading, enjoyed traveling with family and friends and spent many Saturdays tailgating at Georgia Bulldog football games.

She leaves behind her son Sam (Shari Porter) Stokes, Jr. two grandchildren: Molly McHugh Stokes and Mary Frances Stokes, a great grandchild Athens Porter Mozingo, and a cousin Mary (Will) Liles Gravely.

Preceding her in death are her husband Sam Watson Stokes, Sr. her parents Richard and Mozelle Cole, her aunts Mary White Liles, Lucille White Rickborn, and her cousin Ephriam Rutledge Liles, Jr.

She was a longtime member of St. Michael’s Episcopal Church in Easley, SC, where her memorial service and inurnment will be held at 1:00 pm on February 28th, 2026. The family will receive friends at 135 Glassy Mountain Street, Pickens, SC 29671 on Friday, February 27, 2026 from 1:00 to 5:00 pm.

Memorials in her honor may be made to St. Michael’s Episcopal Church, 1200 Powdersville Road Easley, SC 29642.