Rev. Bobby Stone, 73, of Ocilla, died August 1, 2006, at Tift Regional Medical Center.
Funeral services will be held 10 AM, Friday, August 4, at Ocilla Baptist Church, Ocilla, with Rev. Jim Faircloth, Rev. J.W. Taylor, Rev. Danny Ray, Rev. Ike Thomas, Kevin McElyea & Dr. Lloyd Stembridge officiating. Interment will follow in Pinetta Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 7-9, Wednesday & Thursday evening at the funeral home in Ocilla.
Bro. Bobby was born March 30, 1933, in Irwin County, to the late J.R. and Mamie Tucker Stone. He lived in Ben Hill and Irwin Counties most of his life and served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. He was instrumental in bringing Coachmen Industries to Fitzgerald. He was a former employee of Little Beaver Travel Trailers, and following their merger with Coachmen retired as service manager after 23 years of service. A soldier for the Lord, Bro. Bobby was ordained and licensed by Pinetta Baptist Church. He was instrumental in establishing and was one of the early Pastors of Northside Baptist Church. He was former Pastor of Bethlehem Baptist Church in Irwin County and was Pastor of Englewood Baptist Church for 37 years. He was a member of the American Legion and the Coffee Club at the Pigout. Bro. Bobby was named Citizen Of The Year in 2006 and was one of the founders of Helping Hands of Irwin County. He was always willing to help anyone in need and will be greatly missed by his family and the community.
He is survived by his wife: Valeta Evans Stone, Ocilla; children: Teresa (Rolando) Diaz, Tampa, FL, Amelia (Kevin) McElyea, Franklin, IN, Pam (Tony) Armas, Bremen, Damon Stone, Fitzgerald, Jason and Lance Golden, both of Eldorado; 5 grandsons and 3 great-grandchildren; sister and brother-in-law: Betty & James Casper, Fitzgerald. He was preceded in death by twin daughters, Mary and Martha and a granddaughter.
Memorials may be made to The Gideons International, Ben Hill-Irwin Gideon Camp, P.O. Box 752, Fitzgerald, GA 31750.