May 6, 1957 – December 7, 2025
Kathryn “Kotty” Francisco Stokes, 68, of Auburn, Alabama (formerly Mobile, AL) entered her eternal
home with her Lord and Savior Jesus after a life marked by kindness, resilience and unwavering love.
Born May 6, 1957 at Craig Air Force Base in Selma, Alabama, she grew up in Virginia, New Jersey,
Pennsylvania and Alabama.
Kotty was a beloved mother, daughter, sister, aunt and friend. She is survived by her devoted sons, John
Stokes (Taylor) of Birmingham, AL, and Jake Stokes of Auburn, AL. Her heart overflowed most fully in her
role as “Grandma” to Charlie Stokes, who was her pride and delight. She is also survived by her
sisters Patsy Young (Greg) of Auburn, AL and Nancy Pickrell (Tim) of Tucson, AZ, along with a large and
dearly loved extended family of nieces, nephews, and great-nieces and nephews. She was preceded in
death by her parents John Jacob Francisco and Betty Ann Francisco of Auburn, AL.
A gifted and compassionate nurse, Kotty earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from UAB and
her Master of Science in Nursing from the University of South Alabama. Her intelligence and clinical skill
were evident, but it was her heart, listening ear, steadiness and instinctive ability to comfort that
distinguished her. She cared for others the way she cared for her family: with dignity, attentiveness and
a warmth that made people feel deeply seen.
Kotty lived for her two sons. She taught them the value of hard work not by instruction alone, but
through daily example – in the long hours she poured into her profession, in the steady faithfulness with
which she served others and in the joy she chose even in difficulty. Her relationship with Jesus Christ
was the anchor of her life. Her faith steadied her through seasons of illness, and even when
circumstances were hard, Kotty chose joy again and again, often declaring with conviction, “Life is
indeed worth living.” She modeled what Scripture calls us to in James 1:2 – to “consider it pure joy…,”
and in Nehemiah 8:10 – living as though “the joy of the Lord is [her] strength.”
Those who knew her will remember her unmistakably: fierce in spirit, tender in heart and intentional in
every interaction. Whether you were a lifelong friend, a neighbor, a colleague or someone she met only
once, Kotty made you feel valued. Her kindness flowed naturally.
Her family rejoices that she is now fully whole, fully healed and fully home. They give thanks for a life
that was, in every way, a gift.
Visitation will be Saturday, December 13, 2025 from 9:00AM-10:00AM in the Chapel at Auburn United Methodist Church with a service to follow at 10:00AM. Interment will be at Auburn Memorial Park.
Frederick-Dean Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
Local Obituaries brought to you by Frederick-Dean, and Valley Point Funeral Homes. “Serving our communities in it’s time of need”.
