Linda Maria Stone passed away on Saturday, April 27, 2013, at the age of 65. She was preceded in death by her parents, Joseph and Helen Nelson and her sister, Beth Thrasher. She is survived by her husband, Wendell Stone; her brother, Joseph Nelson; her brother-in-law, Garvis Thrasher; her daughter, Lisa Maloney (husband Michael); her daughter, Angela Hall; her son, Ashley Stone (wife Cissy Stone). She also had three grandchildren, Sarah, Michelle and Michael (Jr.) Maloney. Linda had a special bond with her sister's children, Rachel Webb and Daniel Austin, along with numerous other nieces and nephews. Last and not the least, she had a loving extended spiritual family (John 19:25-27). Linda was born in Baptist Hospital on October 10, 1947. Her family moved to Texas for a short while before returning to Pensacola, FL where she remained for the rest of her life. She graduated from Pensacola High School and earned a (2)-year degree at Pensacola Junior College. Over the years she worked hard to support her family. She was employed by the postmaster and was later assigned as the 1st female carrier in Pensacola. Later, she worked as a school bus driver. Her final job was at the fledgling NFCU Branch, which only had (3)-employees at the time. On March 6, 1970, Linda married Wendell Stone. Not long after, she had the final of her (3)-children, each being important dates. If you asked Linda, though, the most significant event in her life was the moment that she came to hear the Bible's Truth in 1971. Soon thereafter, she dedicated herself and was baptized as one of Jehovah's Witnesses. Within a year, both she and Wendell were serving alongside one another. Over the next (42)-years, they saw the truth behind Ecclesiastes 4:9-12, that a "two are better than one" and a three-fold marriage cord including Jehovah, could not be "torn in two". Since her your young childhood, she was known as a generous and hospitable human being, always putting other's interests in front of her own. Everyday, she proved that there is truly "more happiness in giving than receiving" (Acts 20:35). She was always quick to feed anyone at her table, a way she showed love for someone. Her giving was not just in a physical sense. She also had a zeal for the ministry and was faithful in sharing the Bible's message with everyone she met. One of the most precious truths that she came to understand was the hope of a resurrection back to the earth (John 5:28, 29). She held on to this hope as her parents and sister each passed, and it proved a comfort and "anchor" for her as her final days approached (Hebrews 6:19). We appreciated the many unique ways that Pat Pleasant and Patsy Vieux dealt with each new day's diverse challenges, before Linda became a resident at Rosewood Manor. After that move, Tina and the rest of the B and C Hall staff treated her like family for (7)-years. Thank you, by the way, for putting up with the Thursday Singing Crew and the moments they were out off key. Finally, we'd like to say a special thanks to Barbara Wilson for her constant attendance during the final years of her life. She was a rare friend that many never find, and her diligence helped allay the family's concerns for Linda's well being. We also were thankful for the extra attention that Tina Enkey showed in her time of need. A public memorial service will be held 1:00pm Saturday, May 4, 2013 at the Warrington Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses, located at 918 Winton Ave, Pensacola, FL 32507 and will be overseen by Bro. Howard Whiting. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that you make a donation to the Worldwide Work of Jehovah's Witnesses (www.jw.org) or the Huntington's Disease Society of America (www.hdsa.org).