Betty Jo Stone

Betty Jo Hester Stone, 82, born March 29, 1935, went home to be with the Lord early Tuesday morning February 6, 2018 surrounded by her children and loved ones at the home of her daughter.  Betty came to know the Lord and was baptized at the age of 13. She was a member of Pleasant Grove Baptist Church where she sang solos on occasion, but in later years her family attended First Baptist Church of Benton.  She was raised on a farm and as a child learned from her mother the crafts of cooking, crocheting, gardening and canning that she enjoyed doing throughout her lifetime. After 34 years of caring for patients she retired from Woods Memorial Hospital in Etowah as a surgical nurse.  Because of her dedication and loyalty to the field of surgery that she loved so much, an operating room was named in her honor and a plaque commemorating her service was placed on the operating room door. Her parents instilled great moral values which she passed on to her children.  Therefore, she felt her greatest accomplishment in life was being a mother, grandmother and a great grandmother.She is preceded in death by her husband, Clifford Stone; daughter, Patsy Stone Barker; great grandson, Caleb Jamerson; parents, Warren and Anna Mae Hester; all of her siblings, Willard and Millard Hester, Juanita Shelton and twin, Henry, Richard and Ralph Hester and Bess Park. She is survived by her children; Kathy Stone of Athens, Steve Stone of Portland, Oregon, and Jeff Stone (Sharon) of Benton; grandchildren Rob Cruze (Laura) of Riceville, Elizabeth McBay (Rich) of Athens, Rene Jamerson (Hoyt) of Etowah, Trevor and Brad Stone of Portland, Oregon, step grandson Ean Tate and step granddaughter Erica Clinton; 12 great grandchildren; sisters-in-law, Lavena Hester and Imogene Stone.  Several nieces, nephews, extended family members and beloved friends also survive. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, February 8, 2018 in the chapel of Higgins Funeral Home with Reverend Joe Hatcher officiating and Celebration of Life by her daughter Kathy.  Interment will follow in Benton Memorial Gardens.  A white dove release ceremony will conclude the service. The family will receive friends from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday, February 7, 2018 at Higgins Funeral Home in Benton, TN.Pallbearers will be sons, Steve and Jeff Stone; grandsons, Brad and Trevor Stone and Rob Cruze; nephew, Eddie Hester.  Honorary pallbearers will be Frankie Williams and Richard McBay. We invite you to send a message of comfort and view the Stone family guestbook online at www.higginsfuneral.com.