J.D. Stoker

Mr. JD Stoker “Petlin” was born on August 9, 1943, to Nelson Sr. and Rosie Lee Nash Stoker of Marshall, Texas. At an early age, JD accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior and was a member of Concordia United Methodist Church in Marshall, Texas until he moved.

He attended H.B. Pemberton High School, graduating in 1962. JD was a calm soul who never met a stranger. He was always eager to talk about his accomplishments and the life skills & lessons he learned. JD was the first African American employee and engineer for Union Pacific Railroad in Big Springs, Texas. He loved talking about his career as a train engineer. JD retired from the Union after over 30 years of service.

With love in his heart, is where it all began. He met and married the late Vernell Morris and to this union 2 children, John and Winston were born. He later married the late Mellonee Johnson and was blessed with 3 stepchildren, Marilynn, Ray, and JoAnn Sanders in this union.

He is preceded in death by his parents; 2 wives, son, John Vincent Stoker Sr.; stepdaughter, JoAnn Sanders; sister, Janice Mason; 2 brothers, Nelson Stoker Jr. and Roderick Stoker.

He leaves to cherish his memories: son, Winston (Belinda) Stoker of Hephzibah, GA; stepson, Ernest Ray Sanders of Longview, TX; stepdaughter, Marilynn Sanders of Longview, TX; 7 sisters, Fannie Newman, of Dallas, TX, Florie Nelson of Garland, TX, Ethel (Lonnie) Newman of Waxahachie, TX, Mattie Brown of Marshall, TX, Patricia Brazile of Dallas, TX, Mary (Stayton) Poindexter of Converse, TX, and Wanda Pope of Dallas, TX; 4 brothers, Willie (Betty) Stoker and Sammy Stoker of Marshall, TX, Clinton (Rosa) Stoker of Topeka, KS, and C. Luster (Gloria) Stoker of Converse, TX; 2 great aunts, Mattie Sue McClendon of Amarillo, TX, and Della Stoker of Marshall, TX; a special cousin, David Young of Dallas, TX, grandchildren, great grandchildren, a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.

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