Mary Wilson Stone
Mary Lillian Wilson Stone, 75, passed away peacefully in her sleep at her home, on August 8, 2023 after a courageous 5-year battle with cancer. She was born in Weeksville, NC on December 2, 1947 to the late Anna Markham Wilson Spivey and the late Sam Wilson. She is survived by her loving husband of 54 years, Hershel D. Stone.
In addition to her husband, she is survived by two sons; Hershel Matthew Stone (Lauren) of Dry Fork, VA and Charles S. Stone (Sheryl) of Navarre, Florida; two sisters; Anne Chambers and Charlotte Brickhouse; four grandchildren; August Olivia Mertz (Tyler), Charles Garrett Stone (Carter), Anna Kathryn Stone, and Brent Lee Stone; two great-grandchildren; Uriah Byron Mertz and Hannah Lillian Mertz; and her beloved pets; Red and Babycake.
In addition to her parents, Mary was predeceased in death by a brother; Charles Wilson.
Mary loved her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. A steadfast supporter of her husband, Hershel’s ministry, Mary served many roles in the church. You could find Mary playing beautiful music on the piano, directing the choir, helping children in Sunday School and VBS, as well as serving up food in the fellowship hall. Mary’s enthusiasm for sharing the gospel began during her college years as she and Hershel had a weekend ministry at Sweet Home Church of Christ near Williamston, North Carolina. After graduation from Roanoke Bible College in 1969, Mary and Hershel began their full-time ministry at Hamilton Church of Christ in North Carolina. Over the years, they served at North Danville Church of Christ, Salem Church of Christ, Bedford Church of Christ, Johns Creek Christian Church, and returned to North Danville Church of Christ where they finished their full-time ministry after Hershel retired in 2019.
In addition to her work in the ministry, Mary helped support her family in various jobs throughout the years. She especially loved working at Edward Jones Investments with her son, Hershel Matthew Stone. After 18 years with the company, Mary had worked her way up to the position of senior branch office administrator when she retired.
Mary was known as a loving and caring person to all who knew her. After God, what was of most importance to her was her children and grandchildren. Mary’s love language was giving gifts. She loved making friends and family feel special by sending them cards, letters and packages. When she sent birthday cards to her grandchildren, the sibling who did not have a birthday would receive “unbirthday” cards too. She enjoyed cooking special dishes for her family, such as strawberry pie for her oldest son and spaghetti for her youngest son. Her banana pudding was a family favorite. Mary was very talented with arts and crafts and had a great love for gardening. Her flower gardens were always lovely and her pond koi were happy. Mary dearly loved animals and once raised a show cat named Ben who won many accolades in the 1980s. Mary could knit anything she desired. In these last few years, she took on the task of ensuring that everyone in her family had a specially made afghan from her. She completed over 20 beautiful afghans and was working on one right up to her last days. Mary was a beautiful strong woman who was a force to be reckoned with. She will be sorely missed by all of us, but we are comforted to know we will see each other again in heaven.
The family would like to extend heartfelt gratitude and thanks to all of the loving friends, volunteers, caregivers, and Liberty Hospice staff who provided exceptional care that kept Mary comfortable, warming her heart and soul.
The family request in lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to North Danville Church of Christ Bible and Book ministry, 519 Iris Lane, Danville, VA 24540.
A funeral service will be held on Saturday, August 12, 2023 at 2:00pm at Norris Mt. Hermon Chapel, Danville, VA with Minister Hershel Stone officiating. A visitation will be held prior to the service from 1-2:00pm also at Norris Mt. Hermon Chapel, Danville, VA and at other times at the residence. A graveside interment service will be held on Monday, August 14, 2023 at 2:00pm at New Hollywood Cemetery, 1101 Peartree Road, Elizabeth City, NC 27909.
Norris Funeral Services, Inc. and Crematory, Mt. Hermon Chapel, 3995 Franklin Turnpike, Danville, VA is serving the Stone family. Online condolences may be made at www.norrisfuneral.com.
