Barbara Ann Stokes, affectionately known as "Annie" to her brothers and sisters, passed away Friday, February 4, 2022, at the age of 78.

She was born to William T. Ferguson and Susan Inez Alford Ferguson on June 28, 1943, and married Jackie Murrell Stokes on June 29, 1962. They were married for thirty-one years at the time of his passing.

Barbara loved spending time with her family. She was a great cook and she always made a point to fix something to eat when her family came to visit, even if it was just a pot of chili and some cornbread. Her homemade biscuits were legendary and she made the best sweet tea.

She loved pictures and would spend hours poring over family photo albums and reminiscing about days gone by.

She found happiness and beauty in simple things and she loved to laugh. Flowers and birds brought her great joy. She loved listing to Gospel music and could often be heard singing as she went about her day.

Barbara left behind a legacy of love for the Lord. Everyone who knew her knew she was a Holy Ghost filled, Apostolic woman of God. She lived out her faith daily.

Her grandchildren fondly remember spending the night with Granny and hearing her walking through the house and praying late at night.

She spent hours reading her Bible and had notebooks full of notes from sermons and personal study.

She was at church every time the doors were open and was a exuberant worshipper of God who could "run the aisles" faster than the young people. She loved spending time with her church family and was quick to offer an encouraging word.

She would often send cards and letters to those she felt were in need of encouragement or an uplifting word.

Barbara was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; two brothers, William Perry "Pell" Ferguson and Gary Samuel "Gab" Ferguson; and two sisters-in-law, Norma Jean Ferguson and Charlene Ferguson.

Those left to cherish her memory are her three sons, Jeff Stokes (Diane), Shelby Stokes (Teresa), and Steve Stokes ( Laura); eight grandchildren, Jeffrey Stokes Jr.(Sasha), Ryan Stokes (Bridget), Kimber Robinson (Bo), Mitchell Stokes (Hope), Nicole Stokes, Stephanie Sills (Bo), Matthew Stokes (Olivia), and Aimee Foster (Tyler), twenty-two great-grandchildren;  one brother Vestal "Vee" Ferguson (Gayle) and one sister, Pauline "Polly" Birkelbach (John); and a host of nieces, nephews close family members and friends.

Visitation is Monday, February 7, 2022, at Brown Funeral Home in Liberty, Mississippi from 10:00 A.M. until time of funeral services at 2:00 P.M. Monday, at the funeral Home, officiated by Rev. Jessie Givens.  Interment will follow in Zion Hill Cemetery.