Remembering Lori Stokes

Lori (Lollis) Stokes of Baltimore, Maryland, died of her own accord on February 17, 2024, after a long and courageous battle with bipolar disorder. Although she may have struggled with darkness, Lori – affectionately known as “Lod” – was a beacon of light to everyone who knew her.

Born on June 4, 1971, to Beverly and Norbert Lollis in Spokane, Washington, Lori is remembered as a loving and spirited daughter, sister, friend, mother and partner. Lori was an accomplished athlete throughout her high school and collegiate career, and she helped lead the Shadle Park High School team to four state championships in both basketball and volleyball in 1988 and 1989. She continued her athletic stardom at Washington State University, where she not only played on the WSU Cougars basketball team, but also met her future husband, Cameron Stokes.

After graduating college in 1993, Lori and Cameron spent time in South Korea and Hawaii, where Lori had her two daughters, Taylor and Shannon. In the years that followed, she traveled with her family across the globe, spending time in Germany and Europe before settling in Severna Park. Lori dedicated her life to being an amazing mother, and was an active participant in her daughters’ sports, theater and school activities. Professionally, she pursued work that connected her to people, and primarily worked in pediatric occupational therapy where she helped children and their families navigate learning and developmental disabilities.

Lori was an avid hiker and enjoyed nothing more than connecting with nature in the great outdoors. A ferocious reader, she was constantly feeding her curiosity and desire to learn through an endless bounty of nonfiction literature. She was an active member of her community and strove to foster connections with everyone she met from all walks of life. Lori enjoyed participating in local meetup groups and was constantly supporting projects that promoted social justice and the celebration of the arts. She was always on the hunt for live music to enjoy and loved nothing more than catching up with friends old and new over a cup of coffee (decaf if it was after noon). Lori radiated joy, loved to laugh, and will be remembered wearing her brilliant smile and bright pair of orange corduroy pants to lunch with her girls.

Lori is survived by her two daughters, Shannon and Taylor Stokes, along with her former husband, Cameron Stokes. She also leaves behind her parents Beverly and Norbert Lollis, her sister Kathy Lollis-Hutchinson, brother Terry Lollis, and countless other close friends, teammates, coworkers and family members. She also will be missed by the family cat, Elsa, who Lori spent her final months lovingly cuddled up with.

If you would like to contribute to Lori’s legacy of kindness, community, and compassion, please consider donating to one of the following organizations: Helping Up Mission, Public Justice Center, Marian House, Food for the Poor, or Southern Poverty Law Center.