Irene (Maness) Stone

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Irene Maness Stone passed away peacefully on December 10, 2024, surrounded by family and loved ones.  Irene was born in North Wilkesboro on July 31, 1929, to Charlie Dotson and Mamie Kilby Maness.  She attended the North Wilkesboro City Schools.  After her father died when she was a teenager, she worked at Smithey’s Goodwill Department Store and Wilkes Hosiery Mill.

Irene joined Second Baptist Church of North Wilkesboro as a young woman.  She was honored by the church as being the oldest living member.  She was actively involved in the church until her health declined.

In 1948 Irene married Clyde Dean Stone, the boy next door.  They lived in North Wilkesboro their entire married life until Clyde’s untimely death in 1984.  Irene devoted her life to raising their four children and acting as caregiver in later years to her mother and aunt.

Irene loved Wilkes County and the simple joys in life – beautiful flowers, good home-cooked meals, visiting with close friends and family gatherings.  After the children were grown, she and her longtime friend Dee Lovette Berrong enjoyed a weekly ritual of shopping for bargains and using coupons at the local grocery stores.

Irene was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Clyde, her sister Carol Maness Wilcox, her lifelong friend Dee, and her beloved aunt Cookie Maness.  Surviving are her four children: Diane Stone Swaim and husband Jerry; Larry D. Stone and wife Diane; Susan Stone-Hawkins and husband Pat, all of Wilkesboro; and Steven Mark Stone and wife Charity of Denver, NC.  Also surviving are five grandchildren; Larry Stone Jr. of Cookeville, TN; Dr. Chris Stone and wife Bethany of Jefferson; Haley Stone of Kensington, Australia; Nikki Stone Barefoot and husband Zach of Winston-Salem and Ashlyn Stone, Esq. and fiancé Matt Pate of New York City; and three great grandchildren, Will Stone, Tim Stone and Ben Stone of Jefferson.  Also surviving are a niece, Lisa Whitaker and husband Mark of Hickory and a great niece, Shandi Sturgill of North Wilkesboro.  The family wishes to express special thanks to Irene’s faithful and loving caregivers: Leandra Blackburn, Vonnette Blankenship, Suzette Harris, and Nancy Lyall.

Funeral services will be held at Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home Chapel on Friday, December 13 at 4:00 PM with Dr. Bert Young and Chaplain Greg Anderson officiating.  The family will receive from 2:30 PM until 3:45 PM.  A private burial will follow the service.

The family requests no food.  Flowers will be accepted, or memorials may be made to Second Baptist Church of North Wilkesboro, 511 2nd Street, North Wilkesboro, NC 28659, The Humane Society of Wilkes, PO Box 306, North Wilkesboro, NC 28659, Wilkes County Public Library, 215 Tenth Street, North Wilkesboro, NC 28659 or to a charity of the donor’s choice.

Online condolences may be made to www.reinssturdivant.com. 

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