Judy Stone

Judy Anne Dalton Stone 74, of Little Rock, passed away August 27, 2021. Born in Dermott, Arkansas to James Smith Dalton and Margaret Louise Baugh Dalton, she is survived by her son, Luke Stone and his wife Heather; nephews Joe Dalton Jr. and Josh Hyatt; sisters-in-law, Margaret Fox Hyatt and Linda Ellzey. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, John Robert Stone; and her brother, Joseph Bruce Dalton.

Judy was “reared, not raised” (her words) in Searcy, Arkansas where she graduated from Harding Academy. She went on to earn a BA in Elementary Education from the University of Arkansas Little Rock and Master of Science in Education from the University of Arkansas. Upon graduation in the late 1960s she became a teacher in Pulaski County Special School District. At the encouragement of a friend she joined the Department of Defense Education overseas teaching program, where in 1979 she was assigned to teach in Manheim, Germany. There she met her future husband, Robert, who was stationed at the same base.

Robert and Judy quickly connected with their love of country-western dancing and all things southern. In 1982, they were married, returned to civilian life, and moved to Midland, Texas, Luke was born in 1984. In 1987, they moved to Plano, Texas, where they reared Luke and lived for 23 years. Through the early years of Luke’s life, Judy took every opportunity to teach him and be an essential part of his life by hosting day care out of their house, teaching at his pre-school, and eventually homeschooling him from third to eighth grade.

In 2010, Robert and Judy relocated to Little Rock, Arkansas to care for her ailing mother. Here they reconnected with old friends and found their second family in their Pyeatt Circle neighbors and the Dave Woodman Sunday School class at Immanuel Baptist Church.

When Luke and Heather got engaged, Judy had a new lease on life. Excited for this new chapter in life, she enjoyed spending time with her son and his wife and looked forward to becoming a grandmother.

She will be fondly remembered for her high energy, fueled by an abundance of coffee; her love of all pets, especially boxers; her flower garden and her servant’s heart for all. Judy never passed up the opportunity for an estate sale, thrift store or flea market. She was a true friend, a good neighbor, and loving mother. She will be missed by all those she touched.

Services will be Tuesday, September 7 at 10:00 a.m., preceded by visitation beginning at 9:30, at Immanuel Baptist Church. Interment will follow at 1:00 p.m. at the Arkansas State Veterans Cemetery in North Little Rock. Pallbearers are Robert Hearn, Jerry Griffin, Garrick Ellzey, Jeremy Schepps, Clay Loyd, Ron Matney, and Glen Grant.  Memorials may be made to Immanuel Baptist Church, 501 N. Shackleford Rd., Little Rock, AR 72211 or to the Humane Society of Pulaski County, 14600 Colonel Glenn, Little Rock, AR 72210.  Judy’s online guestbook can be signed at www.smithfamilycares.com.