Sandra Lelia Stone

Sandra Lelia Sellew Stone was born in Big Spring, Texas, on February 5th, 1944, to William Walton Sellew Jr. and Alice Jean McGhee Sellew of Salem, Virginia. At the time of her birth, her father was in the Army Air Corps stationed at Big Spring Army Air Field in West Texas. After the war, her family moved to Blacksburg, Virginia, where her father used his G.I. Bill to attend Virginia Tech. They then moved to Charleston, West Virginia, where Sandy grew up and graduated from high school, and where her younger sister, Sally, was born. Sandy attended the University of North Carolina at Greensboro (formerly the Women’s College of North Carolina) as a music major, while the civil rights movement was reshaping the nation. On June 9th, 1964, in Salem, Virginia, Sandy married Bernell Kenneth Stone of Blacksburg, Virginia. Sandy and Bernell had two children together and were married for 28 years.

During her life, Sandy lived across the United States and pursued numerous passions. She loved her time as a music teacher and was especially proud of her work teaching piano and violin to children with disabilities. Sandy was a dedicated mother and tireless advocate for her children. She brought music into their lives and championed all of their interests.

Sandy built community everywhere she went. She had time for everyone and loved to listen to people’s stories. Over her last 10 years, Sandy moved around the country with her son and his family as his Marine Corps career took them to different locations. Nothing made Sandy happier than being with her grandchildren (and her favorite dog, Nora). Her last 2.5 years were spent at Avista Senior Living near Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, AZ. She loved her community at Avista and cherished her caretakers and her fellow residents. Sandy spent her last weeks comforted by her daughter-in-law and son, and passed away peacefully in her sleep.

Sandy is preceded in death by her daughter, Karine Kenna Stone. She is survived by her son Jared Stone and daughter-in-law Charity Stone of Yuma, Arizona; her granddaughter Kenna Stone of College Station, Texas; and her grandson Warren Stone of Salt Lake City, Utah.