Martha Stone

Martha "Marty" Munford Stone , 73, died on January 9, 2008 at Wesley Woods Alzheimer's Care Center after a lengthy illness. Her sweet yet tenacious spirit was evident until the very end despite the blood disease that ravaged her body and mind.

Marty was born in Kansas City, Missouri, on July 1, 1934, to the late Clifton and Ruth Munford. She attended Rockford College in Rockford, Illinois, where she majored in drama and English literature and was elected to Phi Beta Kappa. She graduated summa cum laude on June 11, 1956, and married Thomas F. Stone of Rockford on the same day.

Tom and Marty made their home in Rockford for the first thirteen years of their marriage, during which time they had two children, and the family moved to Fort Worth in 1969.

Marty was employed at Fort Worth State School from 1976 to 1980. She obtained a Masters degree from TCU in 1980.

From 1980 until her retirement in 1995, Marty was employed by the United Way of Tarrant County, where she served in several positions, including Vice President of Community Services.

Marty had many interests and was active in civic and community affairs, but she especially loved traveling and spending time with her children and grandchildren.

Marty excelled at every endeavor she undertook, but her children are particularly proud of her courage and perseverance when their father died suddenly in 1977 and Marty found herself widowed at the age of 42. She assumed the role of sole provider for her teenage children with strength and grace, and both her son and daughter went on to obtain college and law school educations thanks to the emotional and financial support and security she provided.

Marty is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Elizabeth (Beth) and Gary Miller of Waco, her son and daughter-in-law, David and Susan Stone of Southlake, grandchildren Thomas and David Miller, and Hannah, Jack and Amy Stone. The family would like to thank the caregivers at Wesley Woods Alzheimer's Care Center and Providence Hospice in Waco for their loving and tender care of Marty during her illness.

A private burial will be held in Rockford, Illinois. Memorials may be made to any of the Tarrant County United Way partner agencies, the Tarrant County Humane Society, Rockford College, Wesley Woods Alzheimer's Care Center or the charity of one's choice. The online guestbook is at www.oakcrestwaco.com.