Freda Beth Stone

F. Beth Stone, age 91, died peacefully on Friday evening, December 17th at the Walnut Creek Special Care Center in Evansville, Indiana, just as the Evansville Philharmonic Orchestra began its annual Handel's Messiah performance at Trinity United Methodist Church.

Beth was probably best known as a psychologist who worked for Southwestern Indiana Mental Health Center for 32 years and at the Lampion Center for a number of years after that, with a particular focus on the mental health of children. She was very active in the Patchwork Central Community for many of her later years, and was well-loved by friends and colleagues in Evansville, Hawaii and Iowa.

Beth was born on January 8, 1931, grew up in Fairfield, Alabama, belonged to the Fairfield Methodist church in her youth, and received degrees from Birmingham Southern College (1950), and Vanderbilt University (1952). She had an internship in Clinical Psychology at the University of Iowa Psychopathic Hospital (1956-1957) and earned her PhD in Psychology at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri in 1961. Before she came to Evansville, her work in mental health assessment and psychological testing for all ages took place in Iowa City and Des Moines, IA, and Maui, Hawaii. Earlier in her career she taught English, was a guidance counselor, and conducted group testing in the schools of her hometown of Fairfield.

Beth was predeceased by her parents Isaac and Lena Chancellor Stone and her sister Mary Farr Stone Hamby (Warren). She is survived by nieces and nephews: Warren C. Hamby Jr. (Burma), Barbara Hamby Adkins (Sonny), Jan Hamby Piper, and Michael M. Hamby, and by great-nephews Creedon Chancellor Stone, Edward Andrew Piper, and Samuel Lee Hamby, and a great-great-nephew Elijah Chancellor Stone. She was an inspiration to her family as a successful professional and independent woman at a time when such independence was rare. During her life in Evansville she was a supporter of local artists, a lover of words and books, and a cherished friend who taught us many things--how to be generous to friends as well as those in need, how to carefully examine and question ideas and issues, how to treat people of all walks of life respectfully, and how to enjoy such simple things as bird watching, the game of Scrabble, good food, drink, and ice cream!

A celebration of life will take place at Patchwork at a later time, and memorial gifts may be made to Patchwork Central, 100 Washington Ave., Evansville, 47713. Beth asked that any flowers be sent to living loved ones.

Rest in peace, dear one.

Condolences may be offered at www.AlexanderWestChapel.com.