Sarah Jane Laughlin Stokes (you probably knew her as “Jane”) peacefully entered eternal life on Saturday, July 11, 2015, surrounded by her family at Inova Fairfax Hospital in Falls Church where she had spent 6 days in acute and critical care. Her beautiful spirit is carried on by her husband of 49 years, then daughters, etc., three daughters, grandson, husband of 49 years, two surviving sisters, and an extended family of relations and friends from every walk of life. Jane didn’t know a stranger.
Born January 26, 1932 in Woodstock, VA to George W. (“Dick”) and Sudie Dorcas Fleming Laughlin, Jane was a middle child among her 4 siblings. Her brothers, George W. Laughlin, Jr., and Hoyle Selwyn Laughlin, predeceased her. She graduated in 1949 from Woodstock High School where she excelled in her studies, was senior class president, active in everything from the Dramatic and Glee Clubs, Beta Club, Literary Meet, F.H.A. and Softball Team to the Play Cast, the latter through which she performed in “Little Women” and “Little Miss Spitfire”. If you knew Jane, that was very fitting! She loved to dance! In her Senior Class Last Will and Testament, she willed her dancing ability to a lower classman so he would better perform in future productions. One of her many high school achievements was winning a Forensics Literary Meet; 5 days before she passed, during a visit with a niece and nephews, she was able to name the piece she had recited for that win.
While she was offered a teaching scholarship to what is now the University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg, Jane opted instead to attend Roller Business College and subsequently worked as a telephone operator, a dental assistant, and later a waitress in her hometown of Woodstock. In 1952, she married Meliton Casacuberta of Havana, Cuba, whom she’d met while he was attending Massanutten Military Academy in Woodstock, and who fathered her three daughters.
Jane was a full time homemaker since her marriage in 1966 to Bernie Stokes, and took great pride in keeping a spotless home and a well-stocked kitchen. Seldom did anyone who ever visited leave without Jane “throwing something together” to eat! In Bernie’s nearly 30 years as Town Councilman and member of the Board of Supervisors, Jane was at his side supporting his efforts, organizing and hosting his after election parties, taking constituent phone calls . . . and never letting him go to a meeting without freshly polished shoes!
Through the years, she spent time volunteering with the United Methodist Church Women’s Circle Group, with Parent-Teacher groups when her girls were in elementary school, with the Rivermont Volunteer Fire Department Women’s Auxiliary for Bingo Night, as a Literacy volunteer and a Lioness, and with the Front Royal-Warren County United Way which honored her with a Lifetime Service Award. While she enjoyed the volunteering and supported the missions of each of these organizations (and others), she most enjoyed making and sharing her homemade goodies, such as her Cold Oven Pound Cake and other homemade goods. It was the friends and fellowship she most enjoyed at these meetings and events.
Jane is survived by her husband, Bernard Lee Stokes of Front Royal, her three devoted daughters; Melisa Casacuberta of Fredericksburg, VA, Anita Casacuberta of Bentonville, and Alicia Casacuberta Gutshall and husband, Kevin of Woodstock, her precious grandson, Kyle Lee Gutshall of Woodstock, VA; Andrew Stokes and his wife, Dee, of Front Royal, granddaughter, Dr. Savannah Stokes and her husband Jeff Hughes of Richmond, VA, Jean Marie Gladden of Red Lion, PA, granddaughters Jessica Mapes, Elizabeth French and husband Jonathan, Emily Gladden of Red Lion, PA, and great grandchildren Sierra, Katie, Gwenith, and Claire.
On Sunday, July 19th, a Remembrance Ceremony will be held for Sarah Jane Stokes at Maddox Funeral Home in Front Royal at 2:00 p.m. officiated by The Rev. Dr. R. Mark Jordon. Family and friends may visit prior to the ceremony from 1-2 pm. Interment at Prospect Hill Cemetery will immediately follow the ceremony, and the location of a reception will be announced at the service.
Pallbearers will be Jane’s nephews Keith Alexander; William (Bill) Laughlin; Hoyle, Duane, and John Laughlin; and Walt Morgan. Honorary pallbearers will be Brice Jenkins, Mary Sue Myer, Becky Myer, and Craig, Nora, Alia, Bain, and Cora Rodarmel.
Most floral arrangements will be donated after Sunday’s events to nursing home patients whose lives they can brighten. Memorial contributions may be made to the Humane Society of Warren County (1245 Progress Street, Front Royal, VA 22630), the Humane Society of Shenandoah County (P.O. Box 173, Woodstock, VA 22664), the United Way of Front Royal-Warren County, or any charitable organization of your choosing.
Sarah Jane Laughlin Stokes was big-hearted and generous, funny, compassionate, opinionated; she loved her family more than life itself. And now, finally, she can dance.