Willie Stukes

Willie Stukes, fondly known as “Monkeypig,” died Feb. 1, 2007, at Tuomey Regional Medical Center in Sumter.

Born Feb. 5, 1945, in Clarendon County, he was a son of the late Damon and Martha Temony Stukes. He received his formal education in the public schools of Clarendon County. He was a member of Mount Pleasant UME. “Monkeypig” always worked hard and was employed by Santee Cooper and Clarendon County Landfill. He always tried to make things easier for his family and friends and did so with a smile.

Other than his parents, a son preceded him in death.

Those left to cherish his legacy and grow from his love are his wife, Annie Fay Rhames Stukes of Summerton; two sons, Lambert Rhames of Ridgeville and Bryan Stukes of Sumter; seven daughters, Shelia Stukes, Sandra (Marvin) James and Shermica (William) Session, all of Summerton, Sherline (David) McWhite of Mountain Home, Idaho, Lucinda Stukes and Cynthia (Mack) McKenzie, both of Columbia, and Mary Alice (Javier) Lamert of New York, N.Y.; six sisters, Marguerite Stukes and Margaret Stukes, both of Atlantic City, N.J., Josephine Stukes and Dora Mae Temony, both of Philadelphia, Pa., Minnie Ida Smith of Mount Vernon, N.Y., and Mary Gore of Myrtle Beach; five brothers, George (Rozetta) Stukes and Anthony Stukes of Philadelphia, Gerome (Gwendolyn) Stukes of Mistic, N.J., Luther (Michelle) Stukes of Atlantic City, and Ernest Lee Stukes of Bronx, N.Y.; four sisters-in-law, Jacqueline (Theodore) Smythe of Summerton, Earnestine Rhames of West Palm Beach, Fla., Minnie Ruth Rhames of Belle Glade, Fla., and Helen Cauge of Ridgeville, Ga.; two brothers-in-law, Jacob (Brenda) Rhames and Willie Rhames, both of Summerton; an uncle, Earnest Temony of Stranton; 28 grandchildren, one of which he reared as his own, Adrianne (Ferry) Cannon of Hampton, Va.; one great-grandson, Ferrion Cannon; a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Funeral services for Mr. Stukes were held on Friday, Feb. 9, 2007, at St. Mark Baptist Church with the Rev. W.J. Chandler officiating.

Burial followed in the church cemetery.

Summerton Funeral Service was in charge of the arrangements.