Mary Bell Barnes Stone

Mary Bell Barnes Stone, died on Tuesday, August 19, 2008, in her residence in Lee’s Summit, MO.

She was born April 28, 1915, in McDonald County, Missouri, the first of seven children of Ida Bell Barnes and Lawrence Leslie Barnes.

Mary Bell graduated as valedictorian from Anderson High School followed by graduation from William Woods College. She then completed a degree in social work from the University of Missouri in Columbia, MO in 1935 where she was a member of Pi Beta Phi social sorority. Mary Bell served as McDonald County Director of Welfare in Pineville, MO before her marriage in 1941 to William Stone. Following WWII, the couple made their home for 26 years in Wheaton, MO where they raised their two children and were the owners of Barnes-Stone Chevrolet Co. In 1974 Mary Bell and Bill moved to Anderson, MO, her hometown. Growing up in Anderson was special to her, and she and Bill enjoyed their years together there. Mary Bell resided there until shortly after Bill’s death when she moved to Lee’s Summit, MO, to be near her daughter.

Mary Bell was a gracious lady, an avid bridge player and creator of beautiful needlepoint. She greatly appreciated flowers and loved being a part of a large, loving family.

Mary Bell was preceded in death by her parents and four siblings, Nancy Barnes Goff, Fayetteville, AK; Helen Barnes Hillyard, St. Joseph, MO; Margaret Barnes Roark, Bella Vista, AK; John Barnes, Anderson, MO; and her husband.

 She is survived by her son William Barnes Stone and his wife Gale Welliver Stone of St. Louis, MO; a daughter Katherine Stone Barton and her husband Clay Barton of Lee’s Summit, MO; three grandchildren Elizabeth Barton Ubell of Atlanta, GA; Andrew Barton of St. Louis, MO; Jordan Stone Maddex of Omaha, NE; and two great-grandsons, William Clay Ubell and Chase Warren Maddex. She is also survived by two brothers who reside in Anderson, MO, Gene Barnes and Bill Barnes.

A memorial service will be held at the First Baptist Church of Anderson, MO, on Saturday, August 23 at 2 p.m. The family will greet visitors a short time before the service. Memorial contributions may be made in memory of Mary Bell Stone to the First Baptist Church of Anderson, MO or the American Parkinson Disease Association, APDA Greater St. Louis, Campus Box 8111, 660 South Euclid Ave., St. Louis, MO 63110. Arrangements are under the direction of Royer Funeral Home, Oak Grove, 816-690-4441.