Reginald Darron Stokes

Reginald Darron Stokes

(December 14, 1965 – November 8, 2024)

Lovingly known as “Reggie” or “Darryl”, he was a wonderful husband, father, foster parent, brother, and uncle to a large immediate and extended family. Born as the youngest in a family of 9, Reggie held a very special place in the hearts of his parents and siblings. His mother and father always affectionately referred to him as their “baby.”

 Reggie was a young 58 years of age when he transitioned to heaven to be with the Lord on Friday, November 8, 2024, in Austin, Texas, which he had called home for the past 30 years. He bravely and courageously battled cancer without ever complaining. He cherished the fact that his family visited him to aid in his care and to provide support and unfailing love.

 During Reggie’s health battle, his faith and his relationship with God increased tremendously. He was a faithful and ardent believer. Though his physical life ended, it is not the end for a believer, but a transition to a higher, spiritual realm where he is fully present with God, for we know that to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.

The following was his favorite Bible verse that he shared continuously, without fail, with everyone on his family group chat: 

  “The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God remains forever.” 

Isaiah 40:8

 Reggie was born On December 14, 1965, in Lake Providence, Louisiana, to the parents of Charlie and Marie Sansone. He later moved to Benton Harbor, Michigan, with his parents, where he graduated from Lake Michigan Catholic High School in St. Joseph, Michigan. Reggie met Mary Peden, and they married in 1993. Excited to start their new lives together, they moved to Austin, Texas in 1994. They couldn’t wait to start a family of their own. They bore two children, Emery Stokes and Kelsey Stokes (his little Princess), who meant the world to him.

 Reggie graduated from ITT Tech with a degree in computer science. He worked at Applied Materials as an Electrical Engineer for over 20 years. Reggie was very proud and excited about his job, learning new skill sets, and earning promotions and recognition along his professional journey. He was very fortunate and Blessed to have a team that fully supported his dreams and endeavors.

 In 2013, he met and married Detra Williams. They shared five grandchildren and fostered many children together and helped to change their lives forever with an abundance of love. Reggie and Detra loved going to church together. He would later become enamored with a church in Houston, Texas where they would drive to for the day or the weekend to attend. This was always followed by a fun and sumptuous meal with photos to share.

 Reggie maintained a lifelong friendship with his high school classmate and best friend of many years, Jeff Shoemaker of Ypsilanti, Michigan. They laughed nonstop together, maintained constant communication, and had fun adventures whenever they were together. Jeff viewed Darryl as the brother he never had. 

 Reggie loved spending time with his kids, vacation cruises, working out, and biking. He was always in fantastic shape. He and Emery regularly watched TV shows and movies together. They also loved stand-up comedy on TV and in person. They attended sporting events together, and Reggie loved trying new cooking recipes with Emery as the taste tester. He loved to support Kelsey at her school events and as a cheerleader at the school games. Reggie was always proud to show off his pretty little girl, whom he called Daddy’s princess.

 Reggie was preceded in death by his parents, Charlie and Marie Sansone, one brother, Earl Stokes, and one sister, Linda Swanigan, who transitioned 4 days before his passing. He is survived by five brothers – Eddie Stokes of Lake Charles, Louisiana, Kenneth Stokes of Midwest City, Oklahoma, James Stokes of Benton Harbor, Michigan, Tommy Stokes of South Bend, Indiana and Vincent Stokes of Chicago, Illinois. He is also survived by one sister, Coleatha Ferguson of Benton Harbor, Michigan. His oldest niece, Tammy Stokes of High Point, North Carolina, was reared by his parents and was like a little sister. In addition, he is also survived by many nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, great - great nieces, and great-great nephews. 

A memorial service will be held in his honor and hosted by his wife Detra Stokes at Elgin Funeral Home, 712 N Avenue C, Elgin, Texas on December 13th from 6pm to 8pm.

A joint memorial for Reggie and his sister Linda will be held tentatively in May 2025 in Benton Harbor, Michigan.

Reginal Stokes, 58, of Cedar Creek, passed away Friday evening, November 8, 2024.