Judith Stone's Obituary
Judith S. Stone, age 74, was surrounded by family and loved ones when she passed away at her home on Lake Martin in Alexander City on August 4, 2024. Judy was born at home in Boothton, Alabama on January 14, 1950, and grew up in Pea Ridge, Alabama. She was preceded in death by her parents, Glennice Seagle Smitherman, and Steve Smitherman. Judy is survived by her children, Steve Stone (Rose Marie) of New Braunfels, Texas; Joseph Stone (Megan) of Clanton; Lee Anna Stone of Montevallo; Joyce Ann Velo (Tom) of Wilsonville, and granddaughter, Peyton Peek of Clanton. She is also survived by her sisters, Becky Loyd (Travis) of Gardendale, Iris Kish of Montevallo, and longtime friend and companion, Carol Belcher of Alexander City, along with a host of nieces and nephews.
Judy loved learning and received multiple degrees from the University of Montevallo. She was an educator from 1978 to 2002 at West Blocton Elementary, Montevallo Elementary, and the University of Montevallo. Judy worked at the State Department of Education beginning in 2002, eventually serving as the Director of the Alabama Reading Initiative before retiring in 2016.Some of the interests Judy enjoyed throughout her life were reading, being on the lake, playing the dulcimer, listening to bluegrass music and bird watching.
Judy had a very deep and abiding faith. She was longtime member of Mayberry Baptist Church in Pea Ridge where she served for many years as the pianist and organist. When she moved to Lake Martin, she joined St. James Episcopal Church in Alexander City where she served as a volunteer in the Soup to Go ministry.
Family and friends were very important to Judy, and she enjoyed hosting others in her home for a gathering on any occasion or no occasion. She had a servant's heart and was happiest when she was doing something for someone else. In recent years Judy especially enjoyed having her sons, daughter, granddaughter, and a multitude of friends visit the lake. She had a smile and a kind word for everyone she met and her loving and joyful spirit will be greatly missed.
A Celebration of Life service will be held at St. James Episcopal Church - 347 South Central Avenue, Alexander City, Alabama, on Saturday, August 10, 2024, at 1:00 pm. Reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to the Soup to Go Fund at St. James Episcopal Church or the Dolly Parton Imagination Library at www.donate.imaginationlibrary.com.
Isaiah 40:31
"But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run and not be weary, and they shall walk and not faint."
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