A lifelong resident of Elba, Carolyn Vaughan McDowell Stokes, 92, passed away surrounded by her three daughters on Wednesday, November 15, 2023.  Funeral services will be held at the Elba United Methodist Church on Sunday, November 19, 2023, beginning at 2:30 PM with Rev. Springer Cain officiating.  Committal services will follow in the Evergreen Cemetery.  Visitation will be at the Elba United Methodist Church on Sunday, November 19, 2023, from 1:30 PM until 2:30 PM.  In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be sent to Elba United Methodist Church, 503 West Davis Street, Elba, AL  36323 or the United Methodist Children's Home, 3140 Zelda Court Suite 100, Montgomery, AL 36106-2607.

Carolyn was born on January 27, 1931, to Dave and Lillie Mae Morrow Vaughan.  Graduating from Elba High School and Troy State Teachers College, she will be remembered as a first grade teacher at Hillcrest Elementary School in Enterprise, a first grade teacher at Elba Elementary School, the founder in 1962 and teacher of the Jack and Jill Kindergarten for over 10 years, and finishing her teaching career in Elba with a year of 8th grade science.

Carolyn married Jackson William "Bill" Stokes on August 1, 1953.  They were married for 50 years before his death in 2003 and all of their married life were devoted members of the Elba United Methodist Church, where Carolyn was the children's Sunday School superintendent for more than 10 years.  She will also be remembered as the caring manager of the Elba Senior Citizen Center for over 10 years.

Carolyn is survived by devoted daughters Cynthia "Cyndi" Stokes Darnell (Conie Mac) of Macon, Georgia, Susan Stokes Lawford (Dennis) of Elba, Jackie Stokes Hallford (Don) of Ozark, daughter-in-law Suzanne "Susie" Prior Stokes of Ashville, North Carolina, and sisters-in-law Jean Roberts Vaughan of Elba and Roylene McDowell Sellers of Enterprise.  She is loved and remembered so fondly by 10 grandchildren and their spouses as well as 21 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

Carolyn was predeceased by her first husband Robert Lamar McDowell, son David Lamar McDowell Stokes, husband Bill Stokes, brother Jack David Vaughan, and sister Martha Vaughan Tatom Meacham.

Hayes Funeral Home of Elba, Alabama, is in charge of the arrangements.