Everlene STOKES, Appellant, v. Margaret HECKLER, Secretary of Health and Human Services, Appellee

BRIGHT, Senior Circuit Judge.

Appellant Everlene Stokes (Everlene) appeals from the district court’s affirmance of a final decision of the Secretary of Health and Human Services denying her claim for social security widow’s benefits. The Secretary concluded that Everlene is not a surviving divorced wife of Bossie Stokes (Stokes) within the meaning of the Social Security Act’s widow’s benefits provisions, 42 U.S.C. §§ 402(e), 416(d), 416(h)(1)(A); and that Everlene therefore is not entitled to receive benefits on the basis of Stokes’ earnings record. We reverse.

The record shows that Stokes…