DATE: Friday, April 18, 1997                TAG: 9704180561

SECTION: LOCAL                   PAGE: B9   EDITION: FINAL 

DATELINE: RALEIGH                           LENGTH:   54 lines

SELBY E. STOKES SR.

Selby Edward Stokes Sr. passed away at his home, 1000 Canterbury Road, on April 16, 1997 after a lengthy illness.

He was originally from Elizabeth City, where he was born on Feb. 17, 1910, to the late Edward Stokes and Elsie Jackson Stokes. He was educated in Elizabeth City schools and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. His major was in journalism. He was a very civic-minded person. Always trying to do something for his home town, he worked as a reporter for the local paper, The Daily Advance, covering the youth activities for the city, and was responsible for delivering the paper to several counties. The paper had its own motor delivery service. He was one of Elizabeth City's greatest supporters, as promoter of the National and International Moth Boat Regatta, which attracted widespread publicity for the Elizabeth City area. He wrote articles pertaining to boating activities for Yachting Magazine. He served as commodore of the Pasquotank Yacht Club.

He was one of the founders of the Elizabeth City Boys' Club in 1937. From the time of the establishment, he served on the board of directors. He served as president of the Boys' Club from 1945 to 1949. He was an honorary member of the board. His leadership played a particularly significant part in the organization and development of the Club, with which he was associated for 15 years. In recognition of his long and dedicated service, he received the Boys' Club Bronze Keystone award. He was a member of the Pasquotank Tribe No. 8, Improved Order of Red Men, and received his 50-year pin in 1990.

Mr. Stokes worked at the Elizabeth City shipyard during World War II. The shipyard built sub-chasers for the Navy. After the war, he accepted a position with the State Board of Education, division of purchase and contracts, and began working March 5, 1950. After retiring from state government, he did volunteer work for the North Carolina Retired Governmental Employees Association Inc. After working as a volunteer, he was offered the job of executive secretary, which he held for several years. He was proud to be a member of the Five Points Coffee Club of Raleigh. Mr. Stokes was a devoted and active member of Fairmount United Methodist Church, serving on several committees.

He moved his family to Raleigh in July of 1950. He married on June 17, 1943, to Ruth A. Nowell of Belvidere, N.C., who survives. He is also survived by two sons and a grandchild: Selby E. Stokes Jr. and wife, Joyce Lewis Stokes of Raleigh, Michael Warren Stokes of Wrightsville Beach and grandson, Chip Stokes of Raleigh. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Ruth Nowell Stokes, in 1991.

A graveside service will be held on at 1 p.m. Saturday, April 19, 1997, at Montlawn Memorial Park, 3201 S. Wilmington St., Raleigh, followed by a memorial service at 2 p.m. conducted at Fairmount United Methodist Church, Clark Ave., Raleigh, by the Rev. Steve Hickle.

Visitation will be today from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at Mitchell Funeral Home, Raleigh. Memorials donations may be made to Fairmount United Methodist Church, 2501 Clark Ave., Raleigh, N.C. 27605 or to your favorite charity. KEYWORDS: DEATH OBITUARY

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