Matthew Harrison Stokes

Raleigh - Matthew Harrison Stokes, 31, passed away unexpectedly in his sleep August 11, 2011. Matt was born on January 2, 1980 in Raleigh to Felix and Jane Stokes, and was a beloved son, brother, uncle, grandson and friend. Matt grew up in Raleigh where he attended Forest Hills Baptist Church with his family and was baptized in 1992 by Dr. Jerry Hayner. He graduated from The Achievement School in 1998; and, upon graduating he enlisted in the United States Navy where he served in Atsugi, Japan and on the aircraft carrier, the USS Theodore Roosevelt as an aircraft maintenance specialist. After his honorable discharge, Matt used the GI Bill to further his education at UNC-Asheville where he graduated with a BA in history in 2009. While in college, Matt served one summer as an intern at the NC Department of Archives, working with the Historical Markers Project where he could combine his love for writing and history. At the time of his death, Matt had just completed a fiction course at NCSU and was contemplating furthering his education in the field of writing. In addition to his parents, Matt is survived by his sister, Meg Woods and her husband, Noah, two nieces, Lily and Ruby, and a nephew, Aiden; grandmothers, Margaret Gillispie and Dora Stokes. He was predeceased by his grandfathers, Chester Gillispie and Frank Stokes. The family wishes to express its most heartfelt gratitude to a wonderful teacher and friend, Cheryl Campbell who continued to be an encourager and mentor to Matt since high school; and to Brian Russell and Jay Pittman, his best friends. A private family memorial service will be held on Monday, August 15, at 11 am in the chapel at Forest Hills Baptist Church. Family will receive friends from 12:30 pm - 2:00 pm in the parlor at Forest Hills Baptist Church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the SPCA of Wake County, 200 Petfinders Lane, Raleigh, NC 27690 or to Forest Hills Baptist Church, 201 Dixie Trail, Raleigh, NC 27607. Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe. 1 Timothy 4:12. Arrangements by Bryan-Lee Funeral Home, Raleigh.