The city of Cleveland and all of northeast Ohio remembered the life of former Congressman Louis Stokes on Monday night. The political trailblazer will be laid to rest on Tuesday.
Stokes died last week at the age of 90, leaving behind a giant legacy in Cleveland.
Hundreds streamed through Public Hall on Monday to pay their respects. Stokes had lain in state inside the Cleveland City Hall Rotunda.
An Appreciation Program, also open to the public, followed with family, friends, dignitaries and complete strangers. The program took place at City Hall with a special tribute from Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity. The ceremony included remarks from retired Missouri Congressman William Clay, who served in the U.S. House of Representatives with Stokes, retired Ohio Congresswoman Mary Rose Oakar, along with Mayor Frank Jackson. Several Congress members attended, including Marcia Fudge. Rev. Jesse Jackson also attended.
They remembered not only his accomplishments, but how he treated people.
“What we can learn from my grandfather, and what I will certainly take away, is that no matter our background, no matter our circumstances, we are all capable of love, humility, generosity and humanity,” said one of his granddaughters from the podium.
An American flag was draped over his casket inside city hall.
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source: 19ActionNews.com
Louis Stokes Granddaughters with their tribute:
Immediately following Congressman Louis Stokes’ Celebration of Life ceremony on Tuesday, August 25, the motorcade procession from Olivet Institutional Baptist Church to Lakeview Cemetery will take the following route:
- Westbound on Quincy to East 83rd Street
- Northbound on East 83rd Street to Central Avenue
- Westbound on Central Avenue to East 69th Street – Signage will be unveiled
- Northbound on East 69th Street to Cedar Avenue
- Eastbound on Cedar to Martin Luther King Blvd
- Northbound on Martin Luther King Blvd to Euclid Avenue
- Eastbound on Euclid Avenue to Lakeview Cemetery (12316 Euclid)
- Southbound turn into Lakeview Cemetery
Once the motorcade turns onto East 69th Street, signage rededicating the street as “Louis and Carl B. Stokes Way” will be unveiled.
