Evelyn Stone-Peterson

SOUTHBRIDGE: Evelyn B. Stone, 89, wife of the late Rev. C. Gordon Stone, formerly of Sturbridge and Southbridge, went to be with the Lord on Friday, October 10, 2008.  She leaves her children, Sandra Langley of Ambler, PA, Paul Stone and his wife Brenda of Amesbury, MA; Shelley Stone and her husband Ken Wolfe of Bellingham, MA; and Sherri Nedzweckas and her husband Michael of Sturbridge, MA.  She also leaves six grandchildren: Tacye Langley Clarke and her husband Steve of Vienna, VA; Mckendree (Ken) G. Langley and his wife Amy of St. Louis, MO; Leighton Stone, of Amesbury, MA; and Elise, Stephanie and Nicholas Nedzweckas of Sturbridge, MA.  She leaves five great-grandchildren, Sophie, Brendan, Susannah, Geneva and Benjamin Clarke of Vienna, VA.  Evelyn also leaves her sisters, Helen Blickens and her husband Robert of VA; Pauline Hall and her husband Douglas of North Jackson, PA; and a brother, Stuart Bryant and his wife Emily of Ohio; two cousins, Lyle Leonard and his wife Nelda; and Suzanne Karg and her husband of PA, along with several nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.  She was predeceased by her second husband, Rev. Oliver Peterson of PA; and her son-in-law, McKendr ee (Mick) R. Langley.

Born Evelyn Louise Bryant on July 20, 1919, to Marie (Savory) and Robert T. Bryant of North Jackson, PA, Evelyn graduated from Thompson High School, PA at the age of 16 and worked her way through college as a seamstress in an exclusive dress shop.  She attended Wheaton College in Illinois for a short time, until she had to leave due to illness.  She resumed her college career at Houghton College, NY, where she met her husband of 49 years, Rev. C. Gordon Stone.  She graduated from Eastern Baptist College, Philadelphia, PA with a degree in education, later doing graduate work at Worcester State College.

Throughout her life, Evelyn was a devoted minister\'s wife, singing in choirs and leading many children\'s choirs.  She was a Proverbs 31 woman, and her children call her blessed.  She adored her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and provided libraries full of books for them, reading each one to them repeatedly, and with love.  She was an excellent seamstress, making her own intricate wedding gown, and many beautiful suits, coats and children\'s items.  She was a fabulous cook, and presented every meal as a work of art.  Evelyn perfected everything that she did.  

Mrs. Stone taught Developmental First Grade at Burgess Elementary School for 20 years, and caringly assisted many children in learning to read, before retiring in 1990.  

She married her second husband in 1993, after reconnecting with him 50 years after he had asked her to marry him at Wheaton College.  They had 10 happy years together, living in both York and Lansdale, PA, where they resided at Elm Terrace Gardens. 

Calling hours will be held at Belanger-Bullard Funeral Home, 51 Marcy St. Southbridge, on Tuesday, October 14, from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM. A  funeral service will be held  at 10:00 AM on Wednesday, October 15, 2008 at Central Baptist Church, Main Street in Southbridge, MA.  Burial will be in Swampscott, MA.  

Memorial contributions may be made the North Jackson United Methodist Church, North Jackson, PA. C/O Belanger-Bullard Funeral Home, PO BOX 741 Southbridge, Ma. 01550 

An online guestbook is available at www.BelangerFuneralHome.com