He was born February 1, 1941 in Florence County, South Carolina, to William Chapman and Ruth Nettles Stone. John served four years in the Air Force and jokingly said he only joined to get out of the tobacco and cotton fields in Carolina.
During his lifetime, he had many jobs: bridge builder, house painter, radio technician for the F.B.I., furniture salesman and swimming pool manager, where he thoroughly enjoyed being the “the oldest kid” in the pool.
He will be remembered lovingly and kindly for his roles as husband, a hands-on dad and the adoring grand-dad, “JohnJohn”, as well as for his ever-present sense of humor and willingness to help his sons with any project they began.
In addition to his parents, John is predeceased by siblings Roy Elijah Stone, Terry Gordon Stone and Lavonne Jenkins.
He is survived by his wife, Patricia “Tish” Stone and sons John William Stone, Jr. and Joseph Michael Stone (Lisa); grandchildren Damon Nathair Stone, Mason Dracos Stone, Madeline Phoenix Stone, John Dylan Stone and Joseph Wyatt Stone; brothers David Stone (Mary), Tim Stone (Shirley); sisters Evelyn Wilkes, Emmalee Bell, Linda Fennell, and Kathy Stone; and numerous nieces and nephews.
A Celebration of John’s Life will be at 2:30 p.m., Thursday, August 5, 2021, at Bethel Baptist Church, 6262 Hoover Road, Reva, Virginia 22735, with a time of visitation from 1:30 p.m. until service time.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made in John’s name to any of the following: Hospice of the Piedmont (memo line – Supporting Patients’ Needs), c/o Advancement Department, 675 Peter Jefferson Parkway, Suite 300, Charlottesville, Virginia 22911; Madison County Rescue Squad, P. O. Box 868, Madison, Virginia 22727; Madison County Sheriff’s Office (memo line- Project Lifesaver), P. O. Box 322, Madison, Virginia 22727; Bethel Baptist Church (memo line – Benevolent Fund), 6262 Hoover Road, Reva, Virginia 22735.
Research is needed to find the causes and cures for all of the dementias. The family has donated John’s brain tissue to the Harvard Brain Tissue Research Center in Belmont, Massachusetts with the hope that one day a cure may be found.
The family extends deepest appreciation to Hospice of the Piedmont for their care, the compassion shown to John and for their encouragement to us as a family. Jenny, Robin, Lisa, Lynn and Greg were an invaluable help to us in this journey; to John’s primary care physician, Dr. Jun Kim who was always available to answer questions and who began the process of Hospice intervention; to the EMS teams of Madison County Rescue Squad who were often called for assistance; and to First Sergeant Rodney Seale of the Madison Sheriff’s Office who kept John’s tracking device stocked with batteries.
Fond memories and condolences may be shared with the Stone family through Clore-Engish.com The Stone Family has entrusted Clore-English with arrangements.
