The Rev. Ray William Stokely

May 14, 2008

The Rev. Ray William Stokely, of Del Rio, passed away May 14, 2008, at Baptist Hospital in Knoxville.

He was a member of Piney Grove Baptist Church.

He was a Baptist preacher and had pastored several area churches: Round Mountain Baptist Church, Piney Grove Baptist Church, Maple Grove Baptist Church, French Broad Baptist Church, Victory Baptist Church, and Thompson Branch Baptist Church.

He was retired from the Tennessee Department of Transportation where he was a heavy equipment operator.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Angus and Flora Stokely, of Del Rio, and his wife of 38 years, Bernice Yates Stokely, of Del Rio.

He leaves his children, daughter and husband, Joyce and Clyde Messer; son and wife, Billy and Frances Stokely, all of Del Rio; grandsons, Jamie and Alisha Messer, of Newport; Aaron and Misty Stokely, and Terry; Jennifer Stokely, of Del Rio; and Jonathan Stokely, of Del Rio; great-granddaughter, Haley Marie Stokely, of Del Rio; sister, Mrs. Ella Mae Yates, of Del Rio; several nieces and nephews and close friends.

Funeral services will be 2:00 p.m., Saturday, May 17, 2008, at Piney Grove Baptist Church with the Rev. Mike Elkins and the Rev. Bill Murr officiating. Interment will follow in Stokely Cemetery, Del Rio.

Family will receive friends Friday from 6 until 9 p.m. at Brown Funeral Home.

Sign the registry online at www.newportfunerals.com.

Brown Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.