Geraldine "Gerry" Stone

(Lena) Geraldine “Gerry” Jones Stone of Clayton County, Georgia passed away peacefully on January 27, 2025, following a brief illness. She was surrounded by her loving children as she left earth and was joyously welcomed into Heaven by her adoring husband Buzz Stone and many other departed family members and friends. So great was her dislike of attention and recognition that we’re certain she would strongly admonish us if she were reading this tribute, but we are willing to take that chance. Geraldine was born July 14, 1928 in Atlanta, Georgia to Weyman Watson Jones and Junia Travis Jones. She grew up in Forest Park, Georgia with her loving brother Travis Jones and graduated from Forest Park High School before attending West Georgia College, where she studied business and played field hockey. Following a blind date that far exceeded her expectations, Geraldine married Buzz, the love of her life, in February 1950, later welcoming their three children, Sybil, Sheryl and Mark. She devoted her life to caring for and loving her family, including her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, who could never pass up a hug, a story or an “I love you” from their beloved Nana. Geraldine’s unwavering faith and selfless, gentle spirit were the hallmarks of her life. She was a lifelong member of Jones Memorial United Methodist Church, where she was active in the United Methodist Women and the Ethel Floyd Sunday School class for decades. Throughout her life, she served those around her in their time of need, including delivering meals and cards of encouragement to the sick or grieving and overseeing knitting programs to help the homeless well into her 90s. For more than 25 years, she also worked in the Clayton County tag office, where she came to know virtually every Clayton County resident by name and tag number. There was no place Geraldine would go – in or out of the state of Georgia – that she didn’t run into at least one person with whom she had built a relationship through work or church. Geraldine’s life epitomized the joy that comes from cherishing each of life’s precious moments and seasons. She and Buzz proudly visited all fifty states together, and she enjoyed chronicling their adventures and mishaps, including the run-in with a bull that chased Buzz out of a South Dakota field. She adored the Atlanta Braves but never truly forgave them for the Freddie Freeman trade. Much to the chagrin of her oldest grandchildren and the delight of the younger ones, she also loved the Georgia Bulldogs. She relished the time she spent cooking and baking with her family, particularly at the holidays. She also enjoyed reading mystery novels, working on puzzles and talking with neighbors during evening strolls through her retirement community. Geraldine is survived by her three children, Sybil (Terry) Weitzel of Tyrone, Georgia, Sheryl (Jimmy) Rexrode of Peachtree City, Georgia, and Mark (Melanie) Stone of Marietta, Georgia; five grandchildren, Stephanie (Xavier) Bignon, Stephen (Courtney) Weitzel, Jessica (Robbie) Dixon, Tim (Maggie) Stone, and Jenny (Riggs) Taylor; six great-grandchildren, Ben, Evie and Ella Weitzel, Madeleine Bignon, Anna Grace Dixon and Chloe James Taylor, as well as nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends, all of whose lives were immeasurably enriched for having been loved by Geraldine. A celebration of Geraldine’s life will be held at Dogwood Church at 975 Highway 74 North, Tyrone, Georgia on February 9, 2025, at 3:00 PM, where family and friends will come together to honor the woman who brought so much kindness and joy to their lives. The family will receive visitors at Dogwood Church beginning at 2:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that Geraldine’s legacy be carried on through simple acts of kindness toward others and a donation to the Children’s Village at Christian City or Southwest Christian Care.

Geraldine "Gerry" Stone

July 14, 1928 - January 27, 2025