Dot was born April 1, 1937, to Ben Ervin and Beatrice Ford Kent in Sturgis, Mississippi, the ninth of 16 children. She was a founding member of New Covenant Assembly of God Church and she retired as a restaurant manager. She loved working in her garden tending her flowers and she enjoyed Bible studies, prayer, and worship. She dearly loved her family and took great pleasure in the time she spent with them and she also loved her church family of New Covenant Assembly of God Church in Preston.
Dot is survived by her children Debra Harris and Donna H. Cooper both of Columbus; Diane Gurley of New Port Richey, Florida; Kenneth McMellon of Longview, Texas; Bryan McMellon also of New Port Richey, Florida; and Scott McMellon (Connie Trimm) also of Columbus. She is also survived by three sisters Mary “Crick” Drago of Mobile, Alabama; Ondia “Bay Doll” Tillman also of Mobile, Alabama; and Annette “Sally” Ivy of Sturgis. She also leaves behind three brothers Harold “Tarp” Kent and wife Mattie of Columbus; William “Cotton” Kent and wife Margaret of Ackerman, Mississippi; and Charles Kent of Mobile, Alabama. One of her greatest joys was being “GMa” to her seven grandchildren: Michelle (Jim) Robbins; Amy McMellon; Blake McMellon; Dustin Colvin; Danielle Merritt (Zach) Hartleroad; McKenzie Barham; and Colton Kramer; as well as her seven great-grandchildren: Kylie Garrett; Brianna McMellon; Kayla Barham; Zoe Barham; Angel Barham; Mason Murphy; Matthew McMellon; and Micah Colvin. She was also “Aunt Dot” to a host of nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews. She is preceded in death by her husband Clyde Stokes; her parents; seven brothers: Sam, Punk, J. W., and Buddy Kent including three infant brothers; and two sisters Gladys Whitehead and Edna “Bill” Hatcher.
Pallbearers will be Mike Kent, Scott McMellon, Kevin Reel, Jim Robbins, Bo Thompson, Josh Thompson, Ryan Thompson and Thad Yarbrough. Honorary pallbearers will be David Thompson, Donny Stokes, Dr. John King, Dr. Wail Alnas, the nursing staff of the CCU at Baptist Memorial Hospital; and Lauren Holliman, FNP. Memorials in honor of Dot may be given to the Winston-Choctaw Gideon Camp, P. O. Box 556, Louisville, MS 39339 or to New Covenant Assembly of God Church, 571 County Line Grocery Road, Preston, MS 39354.
Services are under the direction of Nowell Massey Funeral Home, 724 North Columbus Avenue, Louisville, MS. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family by signing the guest register at www.nowellmasseyfuneralhome.com.
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