Constance "Conee" Downs Stokes

Constance Downs Stokes died at Pettigrew Rehabilitationeenter in Durham, NC on August 14, 2016. She was 83 years old. Conee was born to Norman Alden Downs and Ina Mary Anderson Downs oneecember 5, 1932 in Boston, MA. She graduated from Oak Grove School of Vassalboro, Maine. She obtained her bachelor???s degree in education from Duke Uneersity in 1954 and then married Bill, her beloved husband of 61 years ineexington, MA. Conee was a dedicated mother and homemaker, raising her family and providing for them in many ways. She loved her beagles and labs and spent her quiet times walking them around her neighborhood. The Junior League of Durham and Orange counees was where she dedicated many voluneer hours as a sustaining member. The Duke Basketball team lost an avid fan who cheered them on as she loved to watch them play and faithfully did so. In their retirement, Conee and Bill retired to Cape Cod for twenty years. Conee adored the summers there as it became a haven of memories for them both. Survivors include her husband, William Alvis Stokes; son, William ???Bill??? Stokes, Jr (Lucy) of Durham, NC; daughter, Mary ???Mollie??? Stokes Platt (James) of Durham; and her grandchildren, William A. Stokes, III of Greensboro, NC, Emily E. Stokes of Asheville, NC, and Michael William Maready of St. Louis Missouri. A memorial service will be held at Westmineer Presbyterian Church in Durham, NC on Friday, August 19, 2016 at 2:00PM with the Reverends Chris Tuttle and Betty Berghaus officiating. An inurnment will take place in Orleans Cemetery in Orleans, MA at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Westmineer Presbyterian Church, 3639 Chapel Hill Road, Durham NC 27707.