A Legacy of Justice, Leadership & Service

Dwight E. Stokes graduated from Harrison-Chilhowee Baptist Academy in 1970 as Valedictorian of his class. His brother, David, graduated in 1967. The boys lived on the campus during their high school years, as both of their parents were teachers. James Stokes taught science classes, and Annie Stokes taught English.

At Chilhowee, Dwight was a four-year letterman and team co-captain in basketball. He was named Mr. Chilhowee his senior year.

Dwight then attended Carson-Newman College (now University) in Jefferson City, graduating magna cum laude in 1974 as the Outstanding Student in Political Science. At C-N, he served as Vice-President of the Student Government Association and was Sports Editor of the Orange and Blue student newspaper, writing a regular column titled Different Stokes for Different Folks.

In 1977, he earned the Doctor of Jurisprudence from the University of Tennessee (Knoxville) College of Law. At UT Law School, his extensive service in the UT Legal Clinic as a student attorney for indigent clients in criminal and civil cases significantly shaped his legal career.

From 1977 until 1998, he maintained a private law practice with Galyon and Stokes Law Office in Sevierville, handling criminal, civil, and appellate matters.

Judge Stokes has consistently been active in academy alumni affairs. In 1994, The King’s Academy named him Outstanding Alumnus of the Year.

He has repeatedly served pro bono as attorney for the academy Board of Trustees. In the mid-1990s, he provided significant representation for TKA during its extensive appeals to the Board of Control of the Tennessee Secondary Schools Athletic Association. That included many hours of consultation and trips to the TSSAA headquarters in Lebanon, Tennessee. As a direct result of his knowledge and persistence, the appeals were successful, and the Board of Control ultimately ruled in the academy’s favor.

In September 1998, citizens of Sevier County elected him as Sevier County General Sessions Juvenile Judge. They re-elected him to three additional, consecutive eight-year terms in 2006, 2014, and 2022.

Judge Stokes’ memberships and affiliations include:

• First Baptist Church, Sevierville; Deacon, 1979–present; currently Life Deacon; Sunday School Teacher since 1977; Royal Ambassador Director, 25 years; Youth Department Teacher, 30 years
• Tennessee Commission on Children and Youth
• Tennessee Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges
• American Judicature Society
• Smoky Mountain Area Rescue Ministries: Charter Board Member, Former Chair
• State of Tennessee Disproportionate Minority Contact Task Force
• Chair, 2008–present, Sevier County Celebration of Martin Luther King, Jr., Day
• Fellow, Tennessee Bar Foundation
• General Sessions Judges Conference, 2013 President
• Board of Judicial Conduct, 10 years

Awards, honors, and recognitions include:

• 2014 Winner of Judge Leon Ruben Award for Outstanding Service to the State of Tennessee as General Sessions Judge
• Appointed by Governors Bredesen and Haslam to the Tennessee Commission on Children and Youth, nine years
• Appointed by the Tennessee Supreme Court to the Access to Justice Commission
• Senator Douglas Henry Outstanding Public Official Award, 2015, for “Outstanding and Unparalleled Courage, Compassion, and Commitment as a Champion for all Tennessee Children”
• In 2025, Carson-Newman University awarded Judge Stokes its prestigious Carson-Newman Triumph Medal.

Judge Stokes and his wife, Elaine, were married in 1976 and currently reside in Kodak, Tennessee. They have two sons, Dustin (wife, Candace, and daughters, Aria and Ellia) and Drew (wife, Jenna, and daughter, Sarie).