Lenora Ruth Stone passed away January 3, 2020, at Hays Medical Center, Hays. She was born January 6, 1937, at Blackwell, Okla., to Willard and Pearl (Lippincott) Fuqua. Lenora married J. Nelson Stone March 18, 1972, in Great Bend. Nelson, Sr., passed away April 9, 1985.

A long time Great Bend resident, Lenora graduated from Blackwell High School and Arkansas City Junior College. In 1957, she started her career with DuBois Sand Co., then DuBois and Stone Sand Co., and following Nelson, Sr.'s death in 1985, Lenora transitioned into an ownership role for Stone Sand Co.  Truly loving her work, Lenora tirelessly continued to co-own and operate Stone Sand Co., along with her son Nelson, Jr., until her retirement in 2009, retiring after 52 years. Lenora enjoyed puzzles and playing dominoes with her family and Brookdale friends. She had a passion for writing notes and letters to her friends and family, never forgetting birthdays or wedding anniversaries.

Lenora is survived by one son, J. Nelson Stone, Jr. and his fiancée, Shana Persinger of Great Bend; three grandsons, Connor James Stone and Kason James Stone of Great Bend, and a grandson expected in March; 100 year old mother, Pearl (Fuqua) Lippincott of Sherman, Texas; one brother, Kenneth Fuqua of Bells, Texas; one sister-in-law, Rita Fuqua of Cedar Park, Texas; one step-daughter, Phyllis Herrman of Great Bend; and numerous nieces and nephews and step- grandchildren. She was preceded in passing by her father, Willard Fuqua; step-father, Floyd M. Fuqua; one brother, Clifford Fuqua; and one infant sister, Evelyn Mae Fuqua.

Funeral service will be 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, January 7, 2020, at Bryant Funeral Home, with Rev. Dick Ogle presiding. Interment will follow at Dundee Valley Cemetery, rural Dundee. Visitation will be noon to 9:00 p.m. Monday, January 6, and 9:00 a.m. to service time Tuesday, January 7, all at Bryant Funeral Home. Memorials have been designated to Kans for Kids or Golden Belt Humane Society, in care of Bryant Funeral Home.