Olivia Stokes McMinn

Lady Olivia Stokes McMinn was born March 9, 1943, in Greenville, SC. She was the daughter of the late Percival Stokes and the late Frances Henderson Stokes.

A 1960 graduate of Ninth Avenue High School, she was a faithful servant to the Lord who started singing for Him at a young age in Greenville. She was a member of the gospel group Queen of Hearts, along with our aunties Margaret Suber and the late Joann Dillard, under the guidance of Uncle J. W. Henderson, they sung all over SC, and even came to Hendersonville to sing at the old Union Grove Baptist Church. She also sang in choirs at Star Bethel Baptist Church and the Black Mass Choir.

In 1989, the Lord called her and her husband, the late Rev. Dr. James A. McMinn to start Contemporary First Missionary Baptist Church of Hendersonville. She served faithfully for years, leading the children’s choir, and singing on the sanctuary choir. Olivia was a gifted soloist, who's voice was truly beautiful and a blessing to all.

Lady Olivia Stokes McMinn departed this life on March 19, 2026. Other than her parents and husband, she was also preceded in death by daughter Jonie Parks, sisters Betty Byers and Ada Ruth Stokes, brothers John W. Stokes and Robert Stokes, and grandchildren Bethany Pettiford and Carlos Parks.

Left to cherish her memories her children Felecia Pettiford, Rev. Anthony McMinn (Kimbela) , Xavier McMinn, Amber McMinn-Jackson (Jay), and E. Darryl Parks, grandchildren Janina Pettiford-Barnes, Russell Pettiford, Morgan McMinn, A.J. McMinn, Nicholas Smith, Marqueta Smith, Queen Smith, Courtney Means, Dakota McMinn, Ambrianna Jackson, Tarra Parks, Shanee Andrews, Reggie Smith, Hakeem Green, Shari Peralta, Jayden Parks, and Jolena Lyons, a host of great-grandkids, nieces, nephews, and cousins, special sister Margaret Suber, and special nieces Donna Byers and Sonia Suber-Jackson.

A Funeral Service to honor the life of Lady Olivia will be held on Saturday, March 28, 2026, at Contemporary First Missionary Baptist Church (429 Harris St., Hendersonville, NC), at 12pm. She will lie in state one hour prior to the service. Burial will immediately follow the service at Oakdale Cemetery.

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