Frances Elizabeth Hairston Stone
On Wednesday evening, August 11, 2021, the angel of the Lord paid a special visit to one of his beloved children, Frances Elizabeth Stone. He said, “The time of your departure has come; you have fought a good fight, you have finished the race,” and took her to his heavenly home to share eternity.
She was born in Axton, VA to the late William and Minnie Ethel (Petty) Hairston. She was preceded in death by her father and mother, a sister: Mary Jane (Hairston) Millner; and three brothers: Howard Lee Hairston, William (Boy) Hairston, Jr., and Eugene Hairston.
Affectionately called “Liz,” she was united in marriage to James Melvin Stone on November 3, 1956 and to this union were born four children. Their marriage spanned six decades.
She received Jesus as her personal Savior and was baptized in Jesus’ name by the late Bishop H.C. Eggleston, founder of Shiloh Way of the Cross Church. At Shiloh, she served on the Usher Board, as a missionary, and with her husband on the kitchen staff. She always inspired others with her deep spiritual belief, devotion to God and service to her congregation. Because of her passion to help others, she sought and received certification for Geriatric Nursing from Patrick Henry Community College.
She was a devoted wife and a loving mother. The epitome of a Proverbs 31 woman with a one of a kind personality, Liz brightened the lives of all she came in contact with. She will be remembered for her strong commitment to the needs of her family and friends whom she loved dearly. Although her greatest joy was time spent doting on her grandchildren, she also enjoyed working outside in her flower garden and traveling with her friends and family. She will truly be missed by all who knew her and loved her.
Elizabeth retired as a faithful and dedicated worker from Tultex and continued her service to the community as a volunteer for many organizations in Martinsville and was very supportive of civic causes as well as a contributor to those in need. She lived by the adage and served as a role model for the saying, “To whom much has been given; much is required.”
Many families and friends were blessed with her unselfish willingness to give of herself as a caterer supporting countless weddings and events or as an in-home nursing aide lovingly attending to her patients.
In addition to her devoted caregiver and husband of 65 years, those left to fondly remember and cherish her memories are her children: Byron (Lishia) Stone of Kennesaw, GA; Veronica King and Genie (Lafayette) Petty of Greensboro, NC; and Stacey M. Stone of Charlotte, NC.; one loving brother, Jacob Hairston of Danville, VA; nine grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, and a host of relatives and friends.
The family wishes to acknowledge with profound gratitude and heartfelt appreciation the many words, expressions and acts of love extended during this period of sadness and grief with special thanks to her caregivers including the many compassionate employees of Mountain Valley Hospice, Patricia Hairston, Rosie King, Sandra Gravely, and Winona Dudley.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in memory of Frances Elizabeth Stone to Mountain Valley Hospice and Palliative Care [mtnvalleyhospice.org].
