Mary Louise Hays Stokes
Mallette joined that Heavenly Choir at age 89 on Friday, January 15, 2021, in Opelika, Alabama. Mary Louwas born near Mobile Alabama to Samuel Elisha Hays and Myrtle Mae Davis on March 17, 1931. She was a wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend. She was an independent, strong willed, free spirited, creative, artistic, self-made woman.
Mary Lou, known as LouLou to those who were close, led a varied and colorful full life. In her early years as a mother, she instilled in her three children a strong sense of independence and a work ethic that fostered in them an attitude to embrace her teachings of “you can do anything you set your mind to” approach to life. Her love of music, which spanned a lifetime, set her on the path to go from church secretary, to youth choir director, to eventually become thechoir director for her small Alabama church. Later she would leadthe weekly sing-a-longs, heavy on the hymns, at the senior living facility where she resided. As her children became more independent and after a move to Warner Robins Ga., she taught herself the skills of court reporting, eventually starting her owncompany and traveling the southeast fulfilling her duties, sometimes with a camper in tow, staying independently at campgrounds along the way. Always an avid and talented painter, crafter, and photographer, she was able to pursue this passion more freely in her retirement years. LouLou could often be found in the bayous photographing or painting the boats or waterways which were her favorite subjects. Many of these she sold at local markets and boutiques. Her talents and gifts that were inherited from her mother, have been passed down and fostered by her to her daughters and beyond. As a lover of all animals, she especially had a heart for those that were the neediest and rejected. In her care these least of God’s creatures found unconditional love, rest, and peace. “Thing”, her last remaining, loyal, rambunctious recued chihuahua, as well as all her family and friends will miss her greatly. She was preceded in death by her parents, her stepfather Dock Hall; husband, Joseph Mallette; sisters, Myrtle Hays Thomas, and Beverly Hays Tharp;brothers, Clayton and Harold Hays; grandchild, Eric Hamilton; and former spouse, Landon K Stokes.
Survivors include her children, Michael Edward (Terry) Stokes,Judith Kay Stokes Hussey (Dave), Linda Susan Stokes Hobbs(Bob); grandchildren, Jeffery Hamilton, Rachel Stokes (Jeremy) Fisher, Sarah Stokes (Troy) Clevenger, Stephan Hobbs, Kaitlyn Stokes (Kenny) Ladnier; more a daughter than niece, Sharon TharpHawkins (Henry); four great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.
Due to the current pandemic, there will not be a public service. A private family memorial will be held on/or around her birthday near one of her beloved bayous in her native home of south Alabama.
In lieu of flowers we request you please spend extra time with the ones you love, making new memories and celebrating old ones.