Patricia Stone

and sailed joyously to her heavenly home. What a Christmas celebration she must have had!

Pat was the eldest of 4 children born to Louis F. Rhodes and Marguerite Ott Rhodes. She grew up in

Gretna, Louisiana, and graduated from Newcomb College, the women’s college within Tulane University.

She began her professional life as a teacher.

Pat was faithful, obedient and she trusted her Lord with whom she had a lifelong relationship. It cannot

be missed that she came from a long line of women who loved and believed in their Lord and from a

body of men who also came to see their wives’ side of things!

She fell in love and became engaged to marry; yet the Lord had other plans for her. There was a

difference between the young man and this young woman’s professed faith and so she broke her

engagement and spent many nights crying over her difficult decision. She made the bold choice to chart

a new path. She and a friend accepted teaching positions in California for the coming school year. BUT

God had other plans for Pat. She was asked by a girlfriend to stand-in as a blind date for a military boy

who was passing through town. Pat, always a good friend, accepted the request and God took care of

the rest. “WOW” was all that Virgil DuWayne Stone could say when she opened the door to meet him.

After many dates, many floral deliveries, more than one proposal, and most importantly fervent prayer,

Patricia finally say “yes”!

Throughout 65 years of marriage, DuWayne could never take his eyes off her. Their marriage grew in

depth as Pat quietly demonstrated her faith over and over. She was a great example of a Godly wife: she

was faithful, steadfast, loving and she was fun! This couple experienced early married life in such exotic

locations as “Buras” and “Cut Off” Louisiana. Pat was always looking on the bright side of life and even

when 9 months pregnant in a tiny town on the Louisiana delta she could almost always find something

to be grateful for. Eventually, life took Pat and DuWayne on a big adventure as they were transferred to

London, England. The industrious drilling engineer sunk his teeth into work managing Gulf Oil’s world-

wide drilling program, and that meant many long months away from Pat. She was left with the

important job of riding herd on 3 kids in an international city smack in the midst of the Beatles, The

Rolling Stones and the rest of the 60’s cultural revolution! There was never a more supportive and

understanding mother than she was! Pat did not forget her roots; she prayed a lot, slept with one eye

open and quietly set an example for her family.

For a small-town girl from Gretna, to a woman who was called upon by heads of state to christen

International drilling ships and rigs with a bottle of champagne across the bow, Patricia Rhodes Stone

NEVER forgot her Lord. She NEVER let anything get in the way of her relationship with her “Best Friend

Jesus”-

Pat’s hope is that each of her grandchildren and her Great grandchildren know what a Friend we have in

her Best Friend, Jesus.

Pat, known to her grandchildren as Mimi, is predeceased by her loving husband, Virgil DuWayne Stone;

her beloved daughter Alicia “ Lisa” Stone Leng; Infant Grandson Steven Leng. Pat’s siblings, Carol Rhodes

Kramer and husband William Kramer; Jean Rhodes McClatchey and son Mac McClatchey; Pat’s brother

Louis Rhodes “Buddy” and his beautiful wife. Her former daughter-in-law, Patti Jean Stone; her former

son-in-law Michael Downie. And… her parents, Marguerite and Louis Rhodes.

She leaves to celebrate her life: Janet Stone Downie Swanstrom and son-in-law Bill; Michael Stone and daughter in-law Vickie; granddaughters

Kelly Leng, Caroline leng Gray and husband, Lee; Jillian Patricia Downie Storms, Fowler Storms; Christina

Stone Chambers and husband Steve; Jon and Carley Stone; Andrew and Sara Downie and Sara and Greg

Zahoryin. Great Grandchildren: Elizabeth, Alice & Courtney. Isla & Campbell. John & Luke. Harper, Zoey

& Henry “Hank” Rhodes Zahoryin. Also beloved nephew Patrick, niece Bottie; Meg, and Billy Kramer, Charles Downie, William Stone Downie, Nash Michael Downie.