Helen Stokes King

“Well done, good and faithful servant” … Matthew 25:21 RALEIGH - Helen Gray Wilkerson Stokes King, 100, of Raleigh, beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt and friend went to be with our Lord on August 12, 2016. A celebration of life will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, August 16 in the chapel of Bryan-Lee Funeral Home, 831 Wake Forest Road.  The service will be conducted by Rev. Tom Bodkin of Hayes Barton Baptist Church.  Private interment will follow at Montlawn Cemetery. Helen was born April 28, 1916 in Wake County, the fifth of twelve children of the late James Walker and Laura Ann Wilkerson.  She was married to Charley Walker Stokes, Sr. of Henderson on November 27, 1936 who preceded her in death on May 3, 1969 and to Archie Linwood King of Raleigh on December 23, 1983 who also preceded her in death on October 25, 1995.  Helen retired from Southern Bell Telephone and Telegraph (AT&T) in 1979 following 43 years of service.  During her retirement Helen served as Docent for the State Capital in Raleigh, and a volunteer at Rex Hospital.  She was a member of Hayes Barton Baptist Church for over 50 years, served as past President of the Devoted Ruth Sunday school class, and was active with the women members and other phases of church work.  Mrs. King was also a past President of Fallon Park Garden Club, a member of the American Legion Auxiliary Unit I, a member of the Order of the White Shrine and a lifetime member of the AT&T Telephone Pioneers. Throughout her life, Helen, affectionately known as “Nana”, dedicated herself to her family, which includes five grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.  She is survived by her daughter, Donna Wilkerson Daughtry of Raleigh, and her son, Charley Walker Stokes, Jr. (Kay) of Puyallup, WA; five grandchildren: Chay Bigger (Shawn) of Bellevue, WA, Zachary Linwood Stokes of Puyllaup, WA, Laura Daughtry of Mebane, Alan Daughtry (Lisa) of Apex, and Grace Smith (Lowell) of Oxford; and six great-grandchildren: Danyel and Josie Mae Bigger of Bellevue, WA, Kelsey Zalimeni of London, England, Michael Zalimeni (Emily) of Carrboro, Matthew Daughtry of Greenville and Blake Smith of Oxford.  She is also survived by two sisters in-law: Mary Alice Wilkerson of Raleigh and Margie Wilkerson of Cypress, CA, as well as many nieces and nephews. Helen was also preceded in death by four sisters: Elsie Mae Jefferies, Virginia Grace Chessereau, Celestia Lougenia Pritchard, Dorothy Murriel Wagner and seven brothers, J. Frank Wilkerson, O. Levi Wilkerson, Luther Wyatt Wilkerson, John Milton Wilkerson, Norman Lee Wilkerson, Leonard Jefferson Wilkerson and Little Brother. The family expresses their sincere appreciation to Helen’s extended family at the Rosewood Health Center at the Cypress Club of Raleigh and the staff of Transitions Hospice, for their care and dedication over the last several years. Helen served the Lord with gladness throughout her life and requested in lieu of flowers, memorials be made to: Hayes Barton Baptist Church- TV Ministry, 1800 Glenwood Avenue, Raleigh, NC 27608; Transitions HospiceCare, 250 Hospice Circle, Raleigh, NC 27607; or the charity of one’s choice.