CLEVELAND — EDITOR'S NOTE: The video in the player above is from 2015, following Louis Stokes' death
Jeannette "Jay" Stokes, the loving wife of former Cleveland area U.S. Rep. Louis Stokes, has died at the age of 83.
Stokes' granddaughter Alex, a journalist at WJW Channel 8, confirmed her passing to 3News' Russ Mitchell Saturday. She was remembered by her family as being "many things to many people and dedicated her life to others. Above all else, she would describe herself as a loyal wife and mother."
Born in 1938 in New Jersey, Stokes later moved to Cleveland and overcame several childhood illnesses to graduate from John Hay High School before attending the Cleveland Institute of Art. She later enjoyed a successful modeling career, but it was in the late 1950s when her life was altered forever, as she was set up on a blind date with then-lawyer Louis Stokes.
The two quickly fell in love and eventually married in 1960, with Jay becoming a stepmother to Louis' three children. In 1962, she gave birth to the couple's daughter Lori, currently the evening news anchor at WNYW in New York City.
Louis' passion for civil rights and veterans issues helped his political career take off, and in 1968 he was elected to to represent Ohio's 21st (later 11th) Congressional District. Overcoming "her reluctance to be in the spotlight," Jay was by her husband's side through it all, becoming a valuable partner and confidant over the next three decades while Louis served in the House.
Jay would go on to found the Congressional Black Caucus Spouses organization, and after her children grew up became a multi-million-dollar realtor in Maryland along with continuing to produce "brilliant" art. She received numerous awards throughout her life, including as an "Amazing Woman of Courage" by Mt. Zion Baptist Church where she and Louis had wed.
Louis and Jay were married 55 years until the congressman and activist died in 2015 at the age of 90. He paid tribute to his wife in his autobiography, finished just days before his death:
"To my beloved wife Jay, who has been the bedrock for me through all the years in all I was able to do. The best wife a man could have. In memory of the complete and fulfilled life she gave me."
Stokes is survived by her sister Arline, four children, and seven grandchildren. Funeral arrangements have not yet been announced.