Reverend James Stone

Reverend James Stone, age 63, of Rison and of Rector, passed away Thursday, January 21, 2010, at the Jefferson Regional Medical Center in Pine Bluff.

He was born in Pine Bluff on March 9, 1946. Jim was the younger son of J.W. (Jake) and Merle (Ferguson) Stone. He was married to Carol Anne Gaultney in Jonesboro on November 3, 1965. Together they have four children, Mary, Doug, Billy and Hope, 13 grandchildren and two step-grandchildren.

He retired from the Air Force in 1987 after serving for 21 years. Reverend Stone joined the ministry in 1998 and enjoyed being the pastor of Rison United Methodist Church and Mt. Carmel United Methodist Church since 2007. Jim was preceded in death by his parents, J.W. and Merle Stone.

He is survived by his wife of 44 years, Carol Anne (Gaultney) Stone. He is also survived by his four children and their families: Mary and Lendell Small of Rector and their children, Michael, Jake and Tyler; Doug and Yuki Stone of Okinawa, Japan, and children Kirra, Gwen, Billy and Kahana; Billy and Mary Beth Stone of Fort Hood, Texas, and their children, Kristin, Hunter and Tanner, and Hope and Jerry Ermert of Piggott and their children, Elizabeth, Miranda and Micah.

He is also survived by two step-grandchildren, Seth and Chasity Garrett. Jim is also survived by his brother, Bill Stone of Cumming, Georgia; two nieces, Jonette (Glenn) Gowan and son Justin of Flowery Branch, Georgia, and Laura Burgess of Lawrenceville, Georgia. Also surviving are several loving cousins. He leaves behind his legacy of a loving family and a host of friends who are better off for having him in their lives.

Funeral services were held at 3 p.m. Sunday, January 24, 2010, at Rison United Methodist Church. Visitation was from 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday, January 23, 2010, at Buie Funeral Chapel in Rison.

Funeral services were at 2 p.m. Tuesday, January 26, 2010, at First United Methodist Church in Rector. Burial followed in the Pleasant Grove Cemetery.

Visitation was from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday, January 25, 2010, at Irby Funeral Home in Rector.