Claudette Miller Stone

Claudette Miller Stone, a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend, passed from this life on March 1st, 2025 at Live Oak Senior Care in Montgomery, Texas to her new heavenly home on high. Claudette Miller Stone was born near Brookshire, Texas on the land her family cultivated. Claudette grew up as the devoted daughter of Bennie and Essie McCaig Miller. She was the valedictorian of her 1954 graduating class at Royal-Pattison Independent School District and went on to attend Sam Houston State University, where she met the love of her life, Thomas G. “Tommy” Stone. They married on September 1, 1956, in Brookshire, Texas, and shared 64 years of love and partnership until Tommy’s passing in 2021.

Claudette was the cherished family member to many. Claudette is beyond all, a mother to her children, Keith Stone and wife Stacy of Brookshire, Texas; Janet Williams and husband Bobby of Montgomery, Texas; and Kelly Thompson of Waco, Texas. Claudette was a proud and loving grandmother to Audrey Williams of Montgomery, Texas; Emily Moranski and husband JT of Austin, Texas; Alexandra Williams of Montgomery, Texas; Sam Thompson and wife Tiffany of Waco, Texas; Deena Stone of Fort Rucker, Alabama; Nicole Rocha and husband Alex of Fort Bragg, North Carolina; Anna Stone of Katy, Texas; and Kaden Stone of Brookshire, Texas. Her joy extended to her great-grandchildren, Amelia, Madelyn, and Cassidy. Claudette is the loving sister of Carl Miller, (deceased) Kathryn (deceased); Wanda Miller White of Brookshire, Texas; and Ruth Miller Smith and and husband Roland of Austin, Texas. Claudette felt blessed by her and Tommy’s family with numerous in-laws, nieces, nephews, and cousins. Her love and legacy will be carried forth by all.

Claudette was a woman of faith, strength, and service. She and Tommy were devoted members of Immanuel Baptist Church in Temple, Texas for 44 years, where Claudette sang in the choir and accompanied anyone on the piano that asked. Claudette’s southern manners, extraordinary hostesses’ abilities, warmth, kindness and grace left a lasting impact on her community.

Claudette embraced her roles as a coach’s wife and a military officer’s wife with grace and dedication. Over three decades, the Stone family lived in Roscoe, Abilene, and Lubbock, Texas, where Tommy served as the head coach and athletic director at Lubbock High School. Tommy earned his bachelor’s degree from Sam Houston State University where he was a member of the championship football team. Claudette met Tommy at the Baptist Student Union building which still stands today on the Sam Houston University campus. Tommy completed a master’s degree education from Hardin-Simmons University during his career and the university simultaneously awarded Claudette a PHT (putting hubby through) degree as well. Tommy was a member of the Texas National Guard and served with dedication for almost 50 years. His full military training and education allowed him to complete his career as a United States Army Brigadier General while Claudette created a warm and loving home, ensuring her family went to church, fulfilled all education and extracurricular activities and excelled in their many endeavors with her full support. After their military career, Claudette and Tommy owned their own business with shared responsibility in Temple, Texas. Claudette was also honored a few years ago as a designated, Yellow Rose of Texas, by the Governor for her good works.

In their later years, Claudette and Tommy found joy at Stoneridge, the family ranch in Brookshire, Texas, where they tended cattle and counted calves together. They also cheered passionately for the Sam Houston State University Bearkats at athletic events and became avid Baylor Bears fans. Their enduring love and shared interests were a source of inspiration to all who knew them.

Claudette moved to Live Oak Senior Care in Montgomery, Texas in 2021 where she became a loved and cherished member of the Live Oak family. Her best times there were filled with daily activities among friends and staff that she embraced and loved. Her most lasting legacy at Live Oak is the beloved sing-alongs in her piano room while she effortlessly accompanied guests on the piano. Every hymn requested was played with love.

Our family owes an enduring debt of gratitude to the staff and residents of Live Oak Senior Care for their steadfast love and comfort they gave freely to our mother every day. Devotions Hospice staff gave continuous care for our mother daily with competence, caring and thoughtful words and actions. We couldn’t appreciate you enough for your assistance in caring for our mother.

A celebration of Claudette’s life will be held on Wednesday, March 12, 2025, with visitation at 10:00 a.m., followed by a service at 11:00 at Immanuel Baptist Church in Temple. She will be laid to rest alongside her beloved husband, Tommy, at Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery in Killeen, Texas.

Claudette’s life was a testament to love, resilience, and unwavering devotion to her family and faith. She will be deeply missed and forever cherished.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given in Mrs. Stone's name to Immanuel Baptist Church, 1401 W. Central Ave., Temple, Texas 76504 (ibctemple.org/give).