Herbert Stokley

Herbert passed to be with the Lord, surrounded by family. Herbert is preceded in death by his parents Wayman Lewis Stokley and Mary Viola Davis, Siblings Vera Stokley King, F.A. Stokley, Wayman Stokley Jr., Alton Stokley, his son Steven Lloyd Stokley, and beloved companions Boudreaux and Babygirl Stokley. He is survived by his wife of 45 years Melonie Ann Stokley, his mother-in-law Lois (Nanny) Bothe, and his children, Michael Stokley and Jamie Rhea, Rayford Stokley and wife Sharon, Doug Stokley, Wendy Moore, and Carolyn Ballard. Herbert is also survived by his beloved grandchildren: Travis Stokley and wife Amanda, Tucker Stokley, Tasha Williams, Taylor Mennor and husband Collin, Tyler Long, Wyatt Fulton, James Ballard, Katreena Sanford, and Joshua Ballard. His great-grandchildren: Avari, Aaron, Adam, JC, Aubrielle, Koreena, Kristeena, Jaiden, Easton, and Jamie Ray. His great-great-grandchild: Ellianna. And numerous Nieces, Nephews, and adopted family members. Herbert was a hardworking, devoted and witty family man, who always made time for his children and grandchildren. He never missed a football game (even when the house was flooding), baseball game, track meet or swim team event. He had a love of all sports and participated in slow pitch softball and threw a wicked curveball. He could often be found in a game of horse basketball with the boys and neighbors, in his boots, or challenging them to a foot race to the stop sign. He never missed a good game of 42 or horseshoes at family reunions either. Herbert even met his wife Melonie while bowling, which is shocking if you have ever seen him bowl. When it came to football, he rooted for the Houston Oilers and later the Houston Texans… and well, whoever was playing against the Dallas Cowboys of course. That never changed! Herbert loved to travel and was known for his infamous road trips where his kids could be heard saying “punch it pops” in that 1979 Black Suburban, with a 454 he loved. You could often find him on the weekends out at Lake Somerville bass fishing and RV’ing with the family or browsing yard sales and pawnshops where he was never known to pass up a good deal on a gun or an old fishing pole. Later in life he enjoyed a good game of Black Jack at the casinos. He was a jack of all trades and a master of many, except cars, he hated working on cars. He was always willing to put his skills, knowledge, and helpful spirit to use helping family, friends, and neighbors. He rebuilt his home many times after floods with great attention to the details with the family. He asked for so little but he gave so much to this world. As a grandfather, Herbert liked to teach his grandkids how to shoot craps, play Black Jack, and teach what good music was all about. He however did not take kindly to the squirrels “eating his pecans” and let it be known to all. Herbert started his strong work ethic at a young age by throwing the paper for the Houston Press and building fences. His journey as a machinist started when he saw a building with an air conditioner and decided that was the job he wanted. During the recession of the 1980’s Herbert founded Hardy Machine and Tools. He finished his career as a Master Machinist/Master Inspector at Philadelphia Gear, and is a retired member with the Union, Local 864 UAW where he was very proud to advocate on behalf of his fellow coworkers as a union representative. Herbert was the salt of the earth and was loved so deeply by so many. He will be dearly missed but he lives on through the values he instilled in others. The world will be diminished for us all in his absence, but it is clearly a better place because he was in it. It is with great honor that we were able to honor his last wish which was to go home but it is with great sadness that we have to say see you later for now. We know he will be waiting for us in Heaven with open arms when our time comes which gives our family great solace in our time of grief. The condolences of the Addison family and staff of Magnolia Funeral Home are with the Stokley family and friends during this difficult time.

Herbert Stokley

May 11, 2023