Graveside service for Mr. Walter H. Stone will be at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, October 28, 2023 at Penny Cemetery. Public viewing will be from 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Friday, October 27, 2023 in the Nelms Memorial Funeral Home Chapel.

OBITUARY

Walter Haze Stone, 95, of Huntsville, Alabama, passed away peacefully at his home, on Saturday, October 14, 2023.

Walter was born on January 31, 1928, to Walter Lee Stone and Georgia Mae (Kelly) Stone in Moontown, Alabama. He dedicated his life to Jesus Christ on Thursday, September 1, 1955, and was a faithful member of Briar Fork Cumberland Presbyterian Church for years before joining New Beginnings Christian Church in Huntsville, Alabama.

On December 16, 1950, Walter married Ezell Walker and from their union, birthed and raised their most important 6 disciples: Rex Edward Stone (Beth Grogan), of Huntsville, Alabama,  Dr. Barbara Delois Stone Worley (Dr. Derek T. Worley), of Charlotte, North Carolina, Linda Faye Shannon (James Shannon, Jr.), of Charlotte, North Carolina, Mae Walter Parker (Ricky Parker), of Huntsville, Alabama, Shirley Ann Pope of Huntsville, Alabama, Cora Sue Reeves ( Jerry Reeves), of Huntsville, Alabama.  He was also blessed with a host of loving grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Walter was an incredible, selfless, humble, loving, patient, generous and devoted husband, father, brother, uncle, grandfather, cousin, friend, mentor, leader, and teacher. He never met a stranger and had a phenomenal God -given gift of making people feel loved and accepted.  His sensitivity, tenderness, compassion, and joy were infectious and evident throughout his entire life, as he made a positive impact on everyone he met. His pearls of wisdom were priceless, and work ethics superb. His career included an astounding 82 years of serving as a highly skilled expert barber and owner of a successful janitorial business with his wife, Ezell. They terminated the janitorial business in July 2002, and he officially retired as an expert barber on February 6, 2022.

Walter had an enthusiastic sense of humor and thoroughly appreciated life. He loved God with his whole heart, soul and strength and never hesitated to express his devotion and gratitude for being a loyal disciple of Christ. He had a knack of assigning funny nicknames to his children and grandchildren. For example: John McCain, Kay Ivy, Mike Pence, Ted Cruise, Dan Quayle, Them Jets, Plutie, Lynn, Tookie, Loop, Nut, Heavy Hip, Dead End, Skinny, Smoky, That Baby, King Kong, Senile, Tattoo, Butch, Squirrel, Chicken, Muffin, Shorty, Brandum, Butterball and Erik.

The Facetime, phone calls, letters, cards, and visits Walter received during the final weeks of his life were a tremendous source of joy, peace, and comfort to him. He leaves a strong legacy of humility, faith, joy, peace, love, fairness, hard work, service, authenticity, strength, perseverance, and dedication.

Walter was predeceased by his wife, Ezell, whom he affectionally called his "Sweetie," his parents, Walter Lee and Georgia Mae Stone, his sisters Ira Mae Haygood and Olivia Walker. He is survived by his sister Molly Dean of Chattanooga, Tennessee.

"My family received all my labor. I tried to make sure y'all had everything you needed."   Walter Haze Stone