of Batesville, AR

November 12, 2015

Katherine Lenehan Stokes, age 95, of Batesville, died November 12, 2015, peacefully in her sleep. She was born on March 23, 1920 in Batesville, Arkansas. She was the second of seven children born to John Peter Lenehan Sr. and Maud Lattimer Lenehan, longtime Independence County residents.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph Ray Stokes; her parents, and sisters, Geraldine Lenehan, Montine Lenehan Campbell, and Polly Lenehan Bell, and one infant son.

Survivors include one daughter, Carolyn Stokes Buchanan and her husband, Jim, of Batesville, Arkansas and three sons: Jim Stokes and his wife, Phyllis, of Mooresville, North Carolina, John Stokes and wife, Vernice, of Athens, Texas, and Sam Stokes and his wife, Ruth Anne of Mooresville, North Carolina. She is also survived by seven grandchildren: Amy Buchanan McFarland (Robert) of Cabot, AR, Joe Buchanan of St. Louis, MO, Bren Stokes Harm (Neil) of Winston-Salem, NC, Jeff Stokes (Ashli) of Charlotte, NC, Darlene Stokes Scheffler (Scott) of Houston, TX, Paul Stokes (Heather) of Waunakee, WI, and Eric Stokes of Denver, CO; and twelve great-grandchildren: Katie and Andrew McFarland of Cabot, AR, Jordan, Andrew, and Jeffery Harm of Winston-Salem, NC, Kate and Charlie Stokes of Charlotte, NC, Jon Stokes and Katherine Stokes-Lindley, and Cameron Scheffler of Houston, TX, and Spencer and Harrison Stokes of Waunakee, WI.
In addition, she's survived by sisters, Betty Jo Hall of Turner, AR, Tommie Kelley and her husband, Henry, of Heber Springs, AR, and a brother, John Peter Lenehan Jr. and his wife, Charlotte, of Fayetteville, AR. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews.

Katherine graduated from Batesville High School in 1937 and from Arkansas College (now Lyon College) in 1941. She began teaching elementary school in Cotter, Arkansas, before marrying Ray and returning to Batesville. She taught elementary school in Batesville for twenty-five years, retiring in 1981. She was a lifelong member of the First Methodist Church of Batesville. She spent many hours serving the church, whether folding bulletins or ringing bells in the bell choir, and she was also an active member of the church circles and Sunday school classes. A talented seamstress, she made countless Raggedy Ann and Andy dolls for new babies in town and knitted over thirty personalized Christmas stocking for her family. Also, she had a true green thumb, and she could tell the name of any flower or tree by sight. She thoroughly enjoyed her bridge clubs, her P.E.O. group, and the retired teacher's organization of Batesville. She also loved the simple things in life picking muscadines, making homemade peach ice cream, and spending the fourth of July at the lake with family.

The family wishes to thank all of the staff at Eagle Mountain Assisted Living where Katherine lived for the last six years.

The memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday at First United Methodist Church with Rev. Justin Ledbetter and Rev. Leslie Roper officiating.

Visitation will be from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. Sunday at Roller-Crouch Funeral Home in Batesville.

Memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church, 615 E. Main Street, Batesville, AR 72501 or to Bell-Lenehan Scholarship Fund at Lyon College, 2300 Highland, Batesville, AR 72501.

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