Judith Edna Stone

On Saturday, June 8, 2024, Judith Edna Stone was called home to be with the Lord. She resided in Carrollton, Texas and was 86 years old when she passed away peacefully with her beloved family and three daughters surrounding her.

Judith, who went by Judy, was born in Chicago, Illinois on April 29, 1938. Her father was George A. Bishop, and her mother was Eva Florence Bishop (Beach). Judy had a younger brother named George A. Bishop Jr. When that marriage ended, Judy’s mother met and married Robert Ernest Russell, who adopted Judy and George and they had another six children, Marian/Marilyn (twins), Janet/Janis (twins), Robert (Bob) and Brenda. Judy was the oldest of eight children whom she adored and enjoyed helping her mother raise. The family grew up in Big Rapids, Michigan. After Judy graduated from high school, she went to college at Ferris State University in Big Rapids, Michigan.

She met her first husband, Kenneth Ray Evans, and moved to San Jose, California where their first daughter, Lisa, was born. Eventually, work moved them to Dallas, Texas, where they had two more daughters, Laura and Linda. Finally, they moved to Rockwall, Texas to raise their family. After that marriage ended, Judy met and married, Dennis Lee Stone of Carrollton, Texas who had two sons, Kris and Alec Stone, who were welcomed into the family. The grandchildren started with daughter Laura having Judy’s first grandson, Kevin Zander. Lisa had her first granddaughter, Staci Bartholomew Fordinal, Linda had a granddaughter, Jacqueline Key and Kris with two granddaughters, Lydia and Audrey Stone. Years later, Dennis and Judy welcomed their first great-grandchildren, Kayli and Kaden Fordinal.

Judy’s lifelong career spanned in the banking industry, where she started at ground level and worked her way up into management. She eventually retired from Bank of America.

Judy left a mark on our lives that will never be erased. She knew how much we loved her, and we knew how much she loved us. She was an avid reader and read hundreds of books during her lifetime. She liked to watch British Murder Mysteries, Netflix miniseries and loved playing cards with family and friends. She was an expert at working crossword puzzles and looked forward to doing her Sunday New York Times every week in the newspaper. She enjoyed hosting most all of her family gatherings, where she loved to cook and share memories while making new ones. She treasured her Bible study friends that met weekly. She also loved her church family at Aldersgate United Methodist Church in Carrollton, Texas where she was an active member.

After Judy was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer, she displayed her tenacious spirit by making it to her 86th birthday this year. She was thrown a huge surprise party where her friends, family and neighbors all attended. Her lifelong best friend, Lee Mann, was able to make an appearance and it was so beautiful to see the both of them reminisce about their lifelong friendship for the last time. Judy was loved by so many, and she always brought smiles and laughs with everyone that she spent time with especially her family. Her sunny disposition will be sorely missed.

Judy was preceded in death by her parents George A. Bishop, Robert and Eva Russell, her first husband Kenneth Ray Evans, her brother-in-law Tom Ross, brother-in-law Clint Anderson, and brother-in-law Chuck Baldwin.

She is survived by her husband, Dennis Lee Stone; her daughters Lisa Evans, Laura Lake and Linda Key (Ken); her stepsons Kris Stone (Jamie) and Alec Stone; Her grandchildren: Kevin Zander, Staci Fordinal (Jason), Jacqueline Key, Lydia Stone and Audrey Stone; and great-grandchildren Kayli and Kaden Fordinal. She is also survived by her siblings: George Russell, Marian Ross, Marilyn Wolfe (Dick), Janet Anderson, Janis Baldwin, Bob Russell, Brenda Fitzgerald (Byron) and several nieces, nephews and cousins from her big loving family.

Thanks to all who have visited and sent well wishes for Judy over these past several months. We’d like to especially thank all of her doctors, nurses, caregivers and the hospice team, who took such great care of her. Judy was definitely one of a kind and will be truly missed by all who knew her.

Everyone is welcome to attend Judy’s Celebration of Life at Aldersgate United Methodist Church, 3926 Old Denton Rd, Carrollton, Texas on Monday, July 22, 2024, at 11:00am with a lunch reception afterwards; that will be followed by her niche inurnment at 2:00pm at Hilltop Memorial Park, 1810 N Perry Rd, Carrollton, Texas.

In lieu of flowers or gifts, please make a donation to one of your favorite charities or to any cancer cause.