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Stokes honored during game
Stokes1
Jacob Dodd photo Rosa Stokes, one of the greatest players in the history of DeKalb County High School basketball womens program had her number 55 retired Friday night. Her Aunt Margaret Johnson, left, and her cousin Kimberly Johnson hold the banner which will be placed in the gymnasium.

Rosa Stokes, one of the greatest players in the history of the DeKalb County High School women’s basketball program, had her jersey number 55 retired during a ceremony at halftime Friday of the DCHS Tiger/Lady Tiger basketball game.

Stokes starred as a member of the Tigerette basketball team from 1978-1983 and was raised in Alexandria, attending DeKalb West school where she began playing ball for Coach Danny Parkerson. During her tenure at DCHS she was part of over 60 wins and was named All District, All Upper Cumberland, All Mid-State and Honorable Mention All-State. She scored over 1,500 points during her high-school career playing for coach Mickey Bilyeu.

After her playing days at DCHS, Stokes continued her basketball career as a member of the Cumberland University Lady Bulldogs in Lebanon. She made a lasting impact on the Lady Bulldogs basketball program as she became a prolific scorer and rebounder, tallying over 1,000 points and grabbing over 1,000 rebounds. In 2009 she was posthumously inducted into the Cumberland University Hall of Fame.

After her playing career ended, Stokes remained involved with basketball, moving up the coaching ranks. She served as an assistant coach at University of Louisville, Murray State University, Tennessee Tech University, UT-Chattanooga and Long Beach State University, where she served as associate head coach. In the summer of 2001, Stokes was named head women’s coach at Georgia Southwestern University in Americus, GA until 2003. Stokes passed away on August 7, 2003 from a heart-related condition.

“In my 24 years as a head basketball coach, I had many players who were exceptional and Rosa was one of those you would call ‘special’,” said coach Bilyeu. “She didn’t always have the support system, extra motivators or advantages many players of today have, but she was one of the most focused, coachable and extremely intense players a coach could ever want. Her personality carried her a long way in life and she will never be forgotten. She always had that big smile.”

A banner with her number will be hung in the gym to recognize and honor Stokes as one of DeKalb County’s greatest players.