God hath not promised

    Skies always blue,

Flower strewn pathways

   All our lives through;

God hath not promised

    Sun without rain,

Joy without sorrow,

    Peace without pain.

But God hath promised

    Strength for the day,

Rest for the labor

    Light for the way;

Grace for the trials,

    Help from above,

Unfailing sympathy,

        Undying love.

Charles William Stone, 72, Auxvasse, died at his home on Jan. 29, 2004.

Mr. Stone was born on April 4, 1931, in Gainesville, Mo., a son of Harry and Nellie Sylvia (Grisham) Stone. On Feb. 4, 1961, in Gainesville, he married Elaine Pate, who survives.

Mr. Stone worked as a meat cutter at St. John’s Grocery Store in Gainesville, and then at Eslinger Hardware, also in Gainesville. He moved to Fulton where he worked at the Fulton State Hospital Biggs Building for more than 20 years until his retirement.

     Survivors include two sons, Ken Stone, Jefferson City, and Lance Stone and wife Sandy, Mexico; two daughters, Tina Groves and husband Randy, and Shana Poteet and husband David, all of Mexico; a brother, Walter Ray Stone, Paragould, Ark.; and fourteen grandchildren.

One daughter, Rena, a grandson Dylan Stone, his mother and father, and two sisters, Ramona Sparks and Betty Lee Steleck, preceded him in death.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, Jan. 31, 2004, at 2:00 p.m. at Pickering Funeral Home with the Rev. Mike Crowson officiating. Visitation will be from noon until the time of the service at the funeral home. Burial will be in Elmwood Cemetery in Mexico.

     The family requests memorials be given to the Mexico Animal Shelter. They may be sent in care of Pickering Funeral Home, 403 N. Western, Mexico, MO 65265.

 Pickering Funeral Home  
Caring Service Since 1884