Carlene Stokes

Carlene Henrietta Phillips Stokes was born on February 16, 1932, in Murphy, Oklahoma to her parents Wendell and Elizabeth Davis Phillips. She was one of 11 siblings and was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Clyde Leon Stokes, and two siblings. Carlene completed her elementary and high school education in Oklahoma. While living in Wichita, she worked as an upholsterer for Beach Aircraft Company. In 1972, she and her family relocated to Denver, Colorado from Wichita, Kansas. Carlene embarked on a 13-year career working as a baker at Children’s Hospital Food Service, where she retired in 1985. She also attended bookkeeping classes at the Emily Griffith Technical College in Denver. She joined Campbell Chapel A.M.E. Church shortly after arriving in Denver and remained a faithful member for over 45 years. She was a member of the Church Choir, Steward Board and the Hospitality Club. Carlene’s genuine kindness and caring touched many lives and she was loved and adored by family and friends alike, including her neighbors who lovingly referred to her as the “Matriarch of Bellaire Street.” In her leisure time, she enjoyed arts and crafts, photography and traveling. Her travels took her to Hawaii, Canada and Jamaica, as well as many trips to California, the Washington, D.C. area, Kansas and, of course, home to Oklahoma. She had a huge collection of cookbooks, which she actually read and often referred to when preparing her meals. In addition to being known for her mouth-watering cooking, she was also known for her snazzy outfits, which she confidently wore. One of her passions was remembering everyone’s birthday and all holidays and was known and appreciated for sending cards to acknowledge special occasions. Mama’s motto was: “If I can help somebody as I travel along the way, then my living has not been in vain”. Carlene departed this life on February 22, 2018, in Denver, Colorado. Those left to mourn her loss include her children: Phillip (Belinda) Barrett, Sr., of Upper Marlboro, Maryland; Travis (Lena) Stokes; Jacqueline (Timothy, Sr.) Jenkins; and Angela Stokes of Denver, Colorado; 6 grandchildren; 7 great-grandchildren, 8 siblings, 2 sisters-in-law, one brother-in-law, and a host of other relatives and many friends.

Funeral Home: Pipkin Braswell - 843 West 100th Place Northglenn, Colorado
Visitation: 3/1/2018 at 4:00 PM - Pipkin Braswell Chapel of Peace - 6601 East Colfax Avenue, Denver, CO
Service: 3/2/2018 at 11:00 AM - Campbell Chapel AME Church - 1500 East 22nd Avenue, Denver, Colorado
Cemetery: 3/2/2018 - Fairmount Cemetery - 430 South Quebec Street, Denver, CO
Family Gathering: 3/2/2018 - Campbell Chapel AME Church - 1500 East 22nd Avenue, Denver, Colorado