Leola Stone Passes June 3rd
Leola (Lee) Stone passed away on Friday, June 3, 2022, at her home in Enid, Oklahoma, with her constant companion, Ellie the wonder dog, by her side. She told her daughter several times over the years, “Nancy, God takes care of me.” He did exactly that on her last day on earth. She laid down to take a nap and didn’t wake up.
Leola’s service was held at the First Presbyterian Church in St. Paul on Thursday, June 9th. She was laid to rest in O’Neill at the O’Neill Cemetery under the direction of Biglin’s Mortuary. Anderson-Burris Funeral Home handled preparations in Enid, Oklahoma.
Leola was born on February 14, 1929, in Page, Nebraska, to Fred L. and Lillie S. (Post) Carey. She grew up on the family farm, the last of nine siblings, with number eight (Myrtle) having been ten years old when she was born. She graduated from O’Neill High School with the Class of 1947. Leola married Raymond Wilkinson on November 18, 1947. They raised two sons, Harland and John, and a daughter, Nancy. They moved from O’Neill to Omaha in the late 1950s. Later in life, she moved to Enid, Oklahoma and fell in love with her neighbor, Charlie Stone, whom she married on July 31, 1984. After Charlie’s passing, Leola retired to the St. Paul area to be close to her grandchildren, helping her son build her a house at Lake of the Woods.
Leola worked outside the home beginning in the early 1960s. Most were not “easy” jobs, but her favorite one had to be bartender at the NCO Club at Vance Air Force Base in Enid, where all those flyboys just called her “mom”. Leola’s family was always first and foremost in her thoughts and actions. She was an accomplished seamstress, making everything from prom dresses and winter coats to period-correct Civil War attire for her grandson to wear to reenactments. She loved all forms of needlework, including crochet, knitting, and hand quilting. Her quilts never touched a sewing machine, done by hand right down to the backing and binding. She was an avid reader, reading on average five books a month on her trusty Kindle, which she took everywhere with her. She had some of the best times of her life living at Lake of the Woods, enjoying time with her son’s family, watching her beloved grandchildren grow into amazing adults. She joined two camping clubs (Second Chance and Good Sam) and loved the camaraderie of the groups more than the camping itself. Lifelong friends were made there. St. Paul is where she found her welcoming congregation at the First Presbyterian Church. She enjoyed many activities there and, of course, lots of Sundays. She saved the last nine years of her life to spend close to her daughter and her family in Enid. She was proud to be a Gold Star mom and was never without her Gold Star pendant. Most friends would remember her as an excellent listener with a grateful heart. She was a bridge over troubled water for many.
Leola was preceded in death by her two husbands; her oldest son, Harland; six brothers; and two sisters. She leaves behind, her daughter, Nancy, and her husband, David, of Enid, Oklahoma; her son, John, and his wife, Dori, of St. Paul; grandchildren, Silas and Bethany, Seth, Marlie and Victor, Shelly, and Mark and Julie; greatgrandchildren, Harland, Lily, and Ryne; numerous nieces and nephews; and her constant companion, Ellie.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the First Presbyterian Church – 816 Indian St., St. Paul NE; the St. Paul Volunteer Fire Department – 864 6th St., St. Paul, NE; or the charity of one’s choice.