Mr. Alvin Arthur Stokes, age 94, of Toccoa, GA, passed away on Wednesday, Dec. 31, at Cottingham Hospice House in Seneca, SC.

Born November 26, 1931, in Fort Pierce, FL, he was the son of the late William Arthur and Ora Bell Stokes. He was a graduate of Palm Beach Junior College with an Associate Degree (1958), University of Florida with a Bachelor's Degree in Sociology, and Florida Atlantic University with a Master's Degree in Education (1971). He held multiple positions throughout the years to administer social programs for assistance to youth and students. He retired in 1999 from his position as Career Counselor at Greenville Technical College in Greenville, SC.

He entered the United States Army on October 9, 1952. He was assigned to the Infantry Division – Specialist Training Regiment in Fort Jackson, SC. In 1953, he was assigned as a Cryptographic Operator to the 811 Expeditionary Airbase in Korea. Alvin arrived there, and 2 weeks later, the Korean Armistice Agreement was signed. He always said they knew he had arrived in the country, and Korea just needed to surrender. In 1954, Alvin was assigned to Special Troops Command in Fort Benning, GA. He held the rank of Corporal upon discharge. Alvin was awarded the Korean Service Medal, Bronze Star, National Defense Service Medal, and United Nations Service Medal. He was a lifetime member of both the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American Legion organizations. His love of military history led him to become involved with the All Airborne Battalion group. Alvin was awarded the status of an honorary paratrooper in 2024 by the group. He was allowed to fly in the Placid Lassie C-47 Warbird with the participants from the Basic Airborne Course as they jumped. This event marked the first training course to return to Camp Toccoa at Currahee after 82 years. Alvin was presented with a Quilt of Valor from the Pickens/Oconee County Quilts of Valor Foundation group in 2025.

Alvin had many special interests and hobbies. He loved to dance, ride motorcycles, participate in community theatre, and race cars. He was voted best dancer during his senior year of high school. Most weekends, he could be seen dancing at various festivals and venues. Alvin was known as the dancer with a red feather in his hat. He participated in many motorcycle events throughout his 70+ years of riding. Some of the major events included Sturgis, SD, Laconia, NH, Outer Banks, NC, Key West, FL, and multiple trips to the Daytona, FL area. One of the highlights was riding the Blue Ridge Parkway from Cherokee, NC, to Virginia. Once there, Alvin participated in the Rolling Thunder ride to Washington, DC. Alvin loved to perform from an early age. He was a part of the Glee Club and Drama Department in High School. Once he moved to SC, he was a part of multiple shows at Centre Stage and local community events. He performed as Santa Claus in the Toccoa/Stephens County community theatre at the age of 91. Alvin loved racing motorcycles and stock cars. He holds the current record at Anderson Speedway as the oldest person to win a feature race there. He was 78 at the time.

Alvin married his wife, Teressa Stokes, in 2016. They met at a dance event in 2008. Together they danced, rode motorcycles, cruised, and traveled their way through many adventures in life.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wives Earlene McLeod, Alice Stokes, and Joy Stokes. Also preceded in death by brother, Alto Stokes; sister, Ora Pels; and children, Arthur Earl Stokes, Alison Sofia Merritt, and Melissa Merritt Morgan.

Family members include his wife, Teressa Stokes of the home; children, Roy (Amy) Stokes of Ocala, FL, Renee (Thomas) Kist of Alberqueque, NM, Thomas (Amanda) Stokes of Floral City, FL, Jamie (Edward) Sampson of Six Mile, SC, John (Crystal) Stokes of Mountville, SC, and Jeff Ramsey of Toccoa, GA; grandchildren / great grandchildren, Randell (Kendra) Stokes / Ben, Rebecca, Estella; Thomas (Amanda) Kist / Thomas; Christopher (Alyssa) Kist / Adriana, Christopher, Gabriella, Joshua; Jonathan (Michelle) Kist / Trinity, Carly; Mariah Morgan; Ashley Stokes / John; Jared Stokes; Eric Stokes / Madelynn, Aaron James; Elizabeth (Gavin) Todd / Thomas, Adeline; James Sampson; Alison Traynham (Brad Rachels); Jonnie Stokes / Dakota, Cameron; Laney Stokes; William (Karley) / Paisley, Christian; mother-in-law, Betty York of Eastanollee, GA; sisters-in-law, Sharon (Jinks) Whittington of Carolina Beach, NC, Judy (Joey) Dickerson of Eastanollee, GA; brother-in-law, Tim (Donna) York of Eastanollee, GA; and a number of nieces, nephews and cousins.

A private celebration of life will be held at Camp Toccoa at Currahee. In lieu of flowers, a donation may be made to Camp Toccoa in Alvin's memory.

Link for online donation: Camp Toccoa

Other donations may be sent to: Camp Toccoa at Currahee, Inc., PO Box 193, Toccoa, GA 30577

Brown Funerals - Cremation Society of SC is assisting the family.