April Kristen Kokes

April Kristen Kokes, 30, of Summerville, passed away Friday, April 11, 2014 at Summerville Medical Center. A poem lovingly written by Aunt Shari:Angels…AprilSometimes we have the opportunity to experience meeting or living with an angel here on earth. They don't look exactly like us, they don't talk exactly like us, but they exude love and peace, and they teach lessons of the heart. They remind us that someone is watching over us, even when, and sometimes especially as, we sleep. They don't walk the way that we do, and they certainly don't fly in human presence, though sometimes you can see signs of a wing. Doctors don't know that these are angels. They just know what we can see, and what science proves, that this angel is not exactly like the rest of us. It's but a miracle that these angels live, and live on, soul stronger than the body... it is indeed a miracle. And these angels, they stay on earth for exactly as long as they are meant to stay, loving, teaching, watching... with only a fraction of any human language, but a pure language of love, language of the soul, language of the heavens. These angels are certainly not like us, but blessed are we who are gifted with the accompaniment of an angel. I bid you no sadness, just the feeling of awe, that you witnessed such a wonder. What a wonder! How blessed are we!? April was born April 4, 1984 in Boone, NC. She is the daughter of Jeannie Hooks Dukes and her step dad of twenty two years, Raymond C. Dukes, Sr. and the late Donald Dean Kokes, Jr. April was very involved in Buddy Soccer of Summerville and the Miracle League of Summerville and loved attending Lowcountry Active Day Center daily. She was a lifetime member of St. Paul’s of Summerville. Survivors include two brothers and one sister: Donnie Kokes (Andrea) of Charlotte, NC, Casey Dukes of Ladson and Lindsay Dukes David (Eason) of Charleston, two nephews and one niece: Haeven Kokes, Miller David and Veila Kokes and a number of aunts, uncles and cousins. A gathering of family and friends will be held on Wednesday, April 16, 2014 from 5 to 7 o’clock at James A. Dyal Funeral Home. A Memorial Service will be held on Thursday, April 17, 2014 at 1 o’clock at St. Paul’s of Summerville, Doar Hall, 316 W. Carolina Avenue, Summerville, SC 29483. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to: Families of SMA, www.sophiascure.org; Summerville Miracle League, www.summervillemiracleleague.com; or St. Paul’s of Summerville, 316 W. Carolina Ave., Summerville, SC 29483. A memorial message may be written to the family by visiting our website at www.jamesadyal.com. ARRANGEMENTS BY JAMES A. DYAL FUNERAL HOME, 303 S. MAIN STREET, SUMMERVILLE, SC 29483 (843) 873-4040.

April Kristen Kokes

April 4, 1984 - April 11, 2014