May J Qo? May I go now ? Do you think the time is right? May I saygoodbye to pain filled days and endless lonely nights? I've lived my life and done my best, an example tried to be. So can I take that step beyond and set my spiritfree? I didn't want to go at first, I fought with all my might. But something seems to draw me now to a warm and living light. I want to go I really do. It's difficult to stay. But I will try as best I can to live just one more day. Togive you time to care fo r me and share your love and fears. I know you're sad and afraid, because I see your tears Til not be far, I promise that, and hope you'll always know that my spirit will be close to you wherever you may go Thank you sofo r loving me. Tou know I love you too, that's why it's hard to saygoodbye and end this life with you. So hold me now just one more time and let me hear you say, because you care so much fo r me, you'll let me go today? Active Pallbearers James Barrington Wright William Gilyard, IV James A. Lewis, Jr. Lewis Oliver, Jr. Franklin R. Boatwright Chad Pugh Benjamin B. Mayes, II Tony Butts, Sr. Manorary Pallbearers Elders, Belle-Terrace Presbyterian Church Elders, Westminister Presbyterian Church Delta Sigma Theta, Inc. Top Ladies o f Distinction Barber-Scotia Alumni Marjoree Barbee Daytime Bible Study Circle Slower Bearers Presbyterian Women (Belle-Terrace and Westminister) Acknowledgements The Stone family sincerely appreciates the love you have shown to us during our bereavement. Your prayers, calls, visits, words o f encouragement, flowers, and many acts o f kindness, have truly given us strength and inspiration. We shall remain eternally grateful to each o f you. Special Zhanks A special thanks is extended to all o f the medical, nursing and support staff for the patience, kindness and love shown our mother during her time o f illness. Heartfelt thanks to Dr. Mac Bowman and Dr. Robert Clark for their tireless efforts on her behalf. W. H. Mays Mortuary "Professional Service A Family Tradition Since 1922 " 1221 James Brown Boulevard Augusta, Georgia (706) 722-6401 A Call Zo Mrs* ela Wright Stone Alpha September 10, 1928 Omega December 24, 2010 Thursday, December 30, 2010 10:30 a.m. Gilbert-Lambuth Memorial Chapel Paine College Augusta, Georgia Reverend Melvin Lowry, Pastor, Belle-Terrace Presbyterian Church, USA Reflections ofa Clfe WellJClved "H er Children rise up a n d cull her blessed." Proverbs 31:28 Lela W. Stone, born September 10, 1928 in Matthews, Georgia, was the 13th child o f Albert and Amanda Wright. She departed this life on December 24, 2010 at Kennestone Hospital in Marietta, Georgia. Momma began her education in the public schools o f Jefferson County, Georgia. She later attended high school at Boggs Academy, Keysville, Georgia where she graduated Valedictorian in 1946. She received her undergraduate degree (Cum Laude) from Barber-Scotia College, and a Masters o f Social Work from the University o f Georgia in 1967. While attending UGA, she was inducted into Kappa Delta Pi, an honor society for educators. She accepted her first teaching position at Gillespie-Selden Institute in Cordele, Georgia and returned to Burke County - and her alma mater, Boggs - to teach Home Economics. She also taught for several years in Burke County's Public School System. She later accepted a position as the first African-American School Social Worker in Burke County, and retired from this position in 1986 after 24 years o f service. That same year she was elected as the first African-American female to serve on the Burke County Board o f Education. She served in this position for 8 years; and for over 47 years, she faithfully served the children o f Burke County. However, education was only one o f her many passions... A devout Christian from an early age, Momma joined John I. Blackburn Presbyterian Church at the age o f 13. She also served at Westminster Presbyterian in Concord, North Carolina, Westminster Presbyterian in Waynesboro, Georgia and finally Belle-Terrace Presbyterian in Augusta, Georgia. She was a " Presbyterian Woman" for over 60 years, an ordained Elder and Deacon for over 40 years, Clerk o f Session for 9 years, Presbyterial President and Secretary o f the Georgia Presbytery, the first African-American Moderator o f the Northeast Georgia Presbytery and held numerous other council and committee positions. She was also the recipi ent o f many honors and awards including Life memberships in United Presbyterian Women and Northeast Georgia Presbyterian Women, the Outstanding Church and Community Service Award and Woman o f Distinction, Belle-Terrace Presbyterian Church. She loved the Lord, she loved her church, and she worked tirelessly until her health began to fail . Still, she answered another call to serve... When the doors o f her beloved high school alma mater closed after 78 years, Momma refused to accept the lost o f this vital community asset. As the oldest African-American private institution in the south, Boggs had educated, developed, and mentored countless boys and girls from across the country and abroad. Momma was convinced the mission o f the school was not yet finished. To this end, she helped to organize the Boggs Community Development Corporation, Inc. (BCD C ) and petitioned " her church" , the National Presbyterian Church to `Gift' the school and its grounds to the corporation. When negotiations failed, and they faced the imminent threat o f the property being placed on the market for sale, she and eight other members launched a historic march and protest against the National Church in Louisville, KY. After hours of marching before the doors o f the church offices, the " Louisville Nine" were granted an audience, a stay was placed on the impending sale, and the prop erty was eventually gifted " free and clear" to BC D C , the charter organiza tion for Boggs Rural Life Center, Inc. As president o f BC D C and member o f the board for Boggs Rural Life Center, she worked tirelessly to develop and support programs and events to enhance the social, educational, and economic growth o f citi zens in rural Burke County and the CSRA. She remained active with both organizations until her death...and yet she found time for social pursuits... Momma was a member o f the Augusta Alumnae Chapter o f Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and Top Ladies o f Distinction. She also was a char ter member o f Delta House, Inc. and President o f its' Board o f Directors, 1998. Under her leadership, Delta House, Inc. restored the home of Miss Lucy Craft Laney and established the Lucy Craft Laney Museum of Black History. And oh yes, she also had a personal life... Shortly after returning to Burke County, she met and married G. Samuel Stone, a Wilkinson County native. Together they raised a daughter Lynette, and a son Richard. This union has endured 56 years. Service was her gift; wife and mother were her choice and she devoted the same tire less energy to her family that she gave to all o f her passions... Her hus band " Stone" , her daughter " N et" , and her son " Dick" cherish her memory and deeply mourn her passing. She also leaves to cherish her memory: a loving daughter-in-law, Mrs. Edie Stone, North Augusta, South Carolina; a devoted son-in-law, Minister Phillip Johnson, Atlanta, Georgia; four grandchildren, Matthew Stone, Gloria Johnson, Monica Johnson and Mallory Stone; two sistersin-law, Mrs. Mary Wright, Raleigh, North Carolina and Mrs. Jean Wright, St. Albans, New York; a loving Goddaughter, Miss Juli Gilyard, Atlanta, Georgia; two devoted nieces, Ms. Loretta Lewis and Mrs. Dianne (" Gil" ) Gilyard, Augusta, Georgia; a devoted nephew, Mr. Albert White, Augusta, Georgia; dear friends, Mrs. Constance R. Stinson, Grand Rapids, Michigan and Dr. Vivian Pennamon, Augusta, Georgia and a host o f other nieces, nephews, great, great-great and great, great, great nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. The sweet and loving spirit that was `M omma' leaves behind a legacy of faith, devotion to service, Christian character, and love. She was valued, and she will be missed. She was loved and respected, and she will be remembered. Orderof Service The Prelude P rocession al............ ......................................... The Church's One Foundation Call To Worship .... ................................................. Reverend Melvin Lowry Hvmn o f P r a ise ..... ...................................................... Oh, I W ant to See H im Prayer o f Invocation................................ Reverend Dr. J. Oscar M cCloud, Retired Asst. Pastor, Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church, New York Scriptures Old Testament .... ................................................................ Isaiah 40: 28-31 Reverend Dr. Otis A. Smith, Ret. Chaplain New Testament ... ............................................................ Phillipians 4: 4-13 Elder Richard Holland, CLP, Retired S e le c tio n ................. ....................................................... Creative Impressions Remarks (L im it to 5 minutes, Please) Member, Presbvterian Church ( U S A ) .....................Elder Neal Leonard Burke County Board O f E d u c atio n .....Mr. Johnny Jenkins, Chairman B C D C ..........................................Dr. Ruby Saxon Myles, Board Member Delta House, Inc., Lucy C. Laney Museum ... Mrs. Christine Betts, Director F a m ily .................................................................. Mrs. Diane Gilyard, Niece Obituary (please read silently) .........Ave M a r i a ...........Mr. Timothy Sanders Acknowledgements ................................ Ms. Glennera Martin, Co-worker Resolutions: Boggs Rural Life Center, Inc. Boggs National Alumni Association Solo .......................... ...M y Tribute ....................... Mrs. Linda Thompkins R eflection s.............. ...................................... Reverend Dr. Oscar M cCloud Eulogy ..................... R ecession al.............. Entom bm ent ......... ..........................Hillcrest Memorial Park M ausoleum