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Marvin Edward Stokely, 94, died May 16, 2020 at his home near Elizabeth City. He was born April 15, 1926 in Washington, D.C. to the late Henry Edward and Helen Tillett Stokely. He attained his pilot’s license as a teenager and was training in Texas as a U.S. Army Air Corps aviator when World War II ended.

In 1948, Marvin signed on as a purser with Piedmont Airlines of Winston Salem before mowing into the cockpit as a First Officer and soon became one of Piedmont’s youngest Captains. He flew out of Norfolk, Va. and Wilmington and made his last landing in Norfolk after thirty-six years with Piedmont.

Marvin attended Cann Memorial Presbyterian Church in Elizabeth City and was a member of the Naomi Masonic Lodge No. 87 in Norfolk, the Willis V. Fentress Masonic Lodge No. 296 A.F.& A.M. in Virginia Beach, Va. and the Sudan Shriners Temple Divan in New Bern.

Marvin is survived by daughters Susan S. Anastasio (Steven) of Lexington, Va., Nancy S. Fonvielle (Chris) of Wilmington and Amy S. Gardner (Eric) of Virginia Beach, Va.; grandchildren Robert Anastasio (Kate), Laura Anastasio McCulley (Joey), Mary Fonvielle, Anne Fonvielle, Grace Gardner and Sophie Gardner, and two great grandchildren, former wife Constance Evans Stokely of Leland and Peggy West of Elizabeth City.

Memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society, 930 Wellness Drive # B, Greenville, North Carolina 27834, a food bank or a charity of choice. Twiford Funeral Home, Memorial Chapel, Elizabeth City is serving the family. Online memorial condolences may be made at www.TwifordFH.com.

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