Obituary of Richard Stone SR. REV

MARION, VIRGINIA: THE REV. RICHARD PARKS STONE, SR., age 78, entered Heaven's realm where he was welcomed by our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, on Saturday, September 10, 2011 while a patient at Francis Marion Manor's rehabilitation unit in Marion, Virginia. "Dick" was preceded in death by his parents: Robert Howard Stone and Daisy McAllister Stone of Charlotte, North Carolina; brother: Robert Stone, Sr., also of Charlotte. Left to mourn Dick's death are his living wife of 32 years, Frances ("Kitty") Armstrong Stone; daughters: Amy Stone Jackson of Dryden, Virginia, Jackie M. Stone of Wise, Virginia, and Marybeth Stone Miller; sons: Thomas Stone and Richard Stone, Jr. Grandchildren include Abigail K. Jackson, Sydney R. Jackson, and Madison K. Milam. Sisters are Virginia Stone King of Surfside Beach, South Carolina and Marie Stone Gibson of Lumberton, North Carolina; aunt: Mary McAllister Davis of Matthews, North Carolina; sister-in-law Arlene Stone of Charlotte; nieces and nephews. Dick graduated from Berryhill High School in Charlotte, served honorably in the U.S. Navy, attended University of North Carolina, earned a B.S. degree as a civil engineer at North Carolina State, and a Bachelor of Divinity degree at Columbia Theological Seminary in Decatur, Georgia. Dick began his ministry for God as pastor of Seven Mile Ford Presbyterian Church and Seven Springs Presbyterian Church. After serving as Director of The Children's Home in Wytheville, VA, Dick became Vice President of Service Gas Co. and later managed Central Oil Corp. in Rocky Mount, VA. Feeling God's call again, Dick became part-time pastor of Rocky Mount, VA Presbyterian Church, then re-entered God's service full time, pasturing Jewell Ridge and Jewell Valley Presbyterian Churches in Tazewell County, VA, where he served for 20 years before retiring to live in Marion, VA. Dick, known fondly as "Preacher Stone", was friendly to everyone he met, served his churches and communities tirelessly in Rotary, on Appalachian Agency For Senior Citizens Board of Directors, PTA, Adult Literacy Program, and other organizations too numerous to mention. Dick also enjoyed writing a weekly religious column for the Richlands News Press and helping his church family with the molasses-making and craft fundraisers. He also began the first community library in Jewell Ridge after helping to secure funding for the restoration of the community company store building to house it. His accolades included receiving Gov. Doug Wilder's Volunteering Excellence Award, but the activities he was most passionate about were helping feed those who were unemployed and assisting families in need with gifts at Christmas. This popular pastor was instrumental in beginning the Richlands Food Pantry. Funeral Service for Rev. Richard P. Stone, Sr. will be held on Monday, September 12, 2011 at 2:00 p.m. at Matson Chapel Presbyterian Church on Matson Drive in Marion, VA with Pastor John DiYorio and Elder George Daughtery officiating. Interment will follow at Walker's Creek Chapel Presbyterian Church Cemetery where military rites will be conducted by Marion V.F.W. Post #4667. The family will welcome friends two hours prior to the service and Sunday evening at the church. Expressions of sympathy may be made to the family at www.seaverbrown.com. Seaver-Brown Funeral Service and Crematory is serving the Stone Family.