Obituary of Michael Meade Stockdell

Michael Meade Stockdell, 81 passed away peacefully on June 2, 2023 in Columbia, SC. Mike was born May 14, 1942, to Edward and Mary McFadden Stockdell in Richmond, VA.

He attended his beloved Virginia Military Institute and graduated from the University of Virginia with a degree in English. He served in the Army Reserves and then started his successful professional career which included executive positions with several prominent companies including the AH Robins company, the Federal government, and privately held and public companies. Mike went on to receive his MS Fine Arts from Georgia State University and received a Master of Social Work from the University of South Carolina. His true passion was reading, and he had over six thousand books in his home library. He wrote three published non-fiction books.

Those who knew Mike throughout his career and retirement would consider him a highly intelligent thinker, with an encyclopedic knowledge on a very broad range of topics. He was also known for his stubborn opinions. He relished a good debate whether it was politics, history, or current events. His love for VMI and his classmates paralleled his life and as recently as last year he would consistently travel weekly to his Charlotte alumni lunch group.

He is survived by his wife, Susan Whitton Stockdell of Columbia, SC and her children, Elizabeth, Rebekah and Jonathan; his children, William Maupin Stockdell and wife, Rekesha F. Stockdell of Rochester, MN; and Caroline Clay Wilhelm and husband, Jerry Wilhelm, grandchildren, Devin and Henry of Hershey, PA.

He is also survived by his brother, Cary Randolph Stockdell and wife, Melissa Danette Stockdell of Montgomery, TX and first cousin, Dr. Sara Calhoun Davis and husband, Earl (Chuck) Davis of Charleston, SC.

Mike is preceded in death by his parents, Edward and Mary Stockdell and his daughter, Dr. Anne Meade Stockdell-Giesler, who leaves her children, Arden, Elise and Abbie.

A private service will be held at St. Martin's-in-the-Fields Chapel in Columbia, SC. Interment will be at Hollywood Cemetery in Richmond, VA in August.

In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests donations be given to St Martins-in-the-Field’s Episcopal Church in Columbia, SC or the Virginia Military Institute Alumni Agency.

Interment will be at Hollywood Cemetery, 412 S Cherry St, Richmond, VA 23220 on Wednesday, October 18, 2023 at 2:00 PM.

South Carolina Cremation Society is assisting the family. Family and friends may sign the online guest book by clicking on the “Tribute Wall” tab above.