1925
2017
If you asked Leona when she was born, likely as not, she would say, "I don't know." She was found as an infant in a basket, abandoned in the waiting room of the train station in Childress, Texas, birthdate unknown. That fact would deeply affect the way she loved and protected her family. She clung to those she loved with the fierceness and passion of a momma bear, if you can compare a slight 100 pound lady to a momma bear. The love of her life was her husband, Joe, known by her as "Jody", but she had plenty of love to spare for her sons, Terry and Steve. She would often say of Joe, "He took nothing and made it into something", which actually wasn't accurate. Leona was the first in her family to attend college and after completing two years of her education, she taught school under a provisional license and attended additional classes to complete her education. She eventually obtained a Masters of Education degree and taught for over 30 years. She was also an artist. Leona painted and made ceramics, and in her later years, she became a prodigious quilt maker, winning many blue ribbons and other awards at the county fair. Through her generosity, these quilts became a blessing to many others who received them as gifts. Her love was not confined, to just Jody and her two boys. She loved all her extended family and friends, and her already love-filled heart would expand just a little bit more each time a new grandchild or greatgrandchild arrived.
Leona's official birthdate was August 15, 1925 (chosen by her mother so she could start school early), but on May 16, 2017, Leona received a new birthdate that we can be sure of. On that day, she was born into new and eternal life, full of love and everlasting joy.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Joe and by her granddaughter Kristyn Stone.
Leona is survived by her sons, Terry Stone and his partner Mike Bush, Steve and his wife, Dianne Stone; grandchildren, Stepheny Bennett and her husband, Kevin, Amy Popejoy and her husband, Ruston; great-grandchildren: Brendan, Bryson and Brielee Bennett and Emma Popejoy.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Children's Home of Lubbock or the Kristyn Stone Memorial Scholarship, c/o Trinity School, Midland, Texas.
Please visit www.resthavenfuneralhome.com for online tributes.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Sponsored by Resthaven Funeral Home & Cemetery.
4 Entries
May 19, 2017
Chris Bartlett
My condolences to Terry Stone and the entire family of Leona Stone. I met her once, and in that one meeting I could tell what a warm-hearted woman she is and it's inspiring to hear what a difference she made in her community.
May 18, 2017
Janice Woods
My deepest sympathy to Leona's family. She was a sweet lady and she is finally free of pain and in peace.
May 18, 2017
Lora Tucker
Your CenterLink family loves you. You and your family are in our hearts and our prayers.
Lora
May 17, 2017
for 22 years we knew each other we quilted together ,and for the last 3 years we volunteered at the blessing center on Thursdays ,enjoyed those days and the visits we had at our homes either mine or yours. I will miss you dearly my friend Rest in peace .Hope your with Jody up there ( that's our joke between you and I ) good by my friend will miss you.
Sefrina Perez
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