Victoria Stone

Our sweet mother, Victoria Stone made her journey into heaven on June 14, 2013. She was a vibrant, independent 91 year old that loved life to the fullest. A service is scheduled for 10:00 am Monday June 17, 2013 at Clearfork Baptist Church in Hawley with burial to follow at Midway Cemetery in Hodges under the direction of Piersall Benton Funeral Directors, 733 Butternut St. A visitation will be held from 3-5pm Sunday afternoon at the funeral home.

Victoria was born September 5, 1921 in Decatur, Texas, the last of 6 children. Her father died when she was just 2 years old, leaving her mother with 6 children to raise during the height of the depression. Her older brothers took over the duties of the breadwinners and they all made the best of a bad situation. There was not much money but she said that they were always happy. Cows and chickens provided their meat and they grew a big garden. Their mother and all the children worked hard to remain together. She remained close to her brothers and sisters their whole lives and she loved them so much. She never forgot the sacrifices that they had made for her.

In 1941, she married a tall, handsome roguish Elmer Hardy. He was 17 years older than she was and already had a daughter, Jean that was not much younger than Victoria. She loved Jean very much. Victoria was an excellent seamstress and always made sure that Jean went back to her home with new clothes. Victoria and Elmer made their home in Santa Anna, Texas. To this marriage came 3 children, Ronnie, Sharon and Vicki. They moved to Abilene in 1958. Victoria went to work for MT Cornelius, spending many years selling furniture for him. When he closed his business, she became a nurses aid, working at several nursing homes. She cared for her patients just like they were her family. She loved them and they loved her. After many years of being single, she married John Stone. They spent many, happy years together, while living in Buffalo Gap and Dilley, Texas. Victoria moved back to Abilene in the mid 70s and went back to work at a nursing home but this time in the dietary department. By this time, all her children had married and her grandkids were coming fast. At the age of 60, she went to work for Hendrick Medical Center in the cafeteria. She was the salad maker, so if you were in the hospital or ate in the cafeteria, you probably ate something that she lovingly prepared. She loved her co-workers just like her family. She worked for Hendrick Medical Center until she retired 18 years later at the age of 78. She was the hardest working 78 year old ever. After retiring, she became bored and wanted to return to work. She worked as a caregiver in the home for several elderly people, most of whom were her age or younger. Finally at the age of 84, she retired.

After retirement, she spent her years loving on her grankids and great grandkids. She loved going to all their activities and just spending time with them. She was so proud of every one of them. She leaves behind her children, Ronnie and Karlen Hardy, Sharon and Melvin Lewis and Vicki and Chuck Vinson. She also leaves a loving legacy of her grandchildren, Randy and Kim Lewis, Scott Hardy, Amy Knight, Shayla and Chris Lawson, Josh Mashburn, Rod Lewis, Adam and Mandy Westbrook, Aaron and Whitney Westbrook and Jordan and Melanie Hardy. Her greatest and most precious legacy is her great grandchildren, Colleen and Austin Hardy, Cayden and Seth Lawson, Gates, Brazos and McKenzie Lewis, Dawson, Autumn and Teaghan Knight and Tatum, Gage, Grayson and Tucker Westbrook.

She squeezed a lot of living in the 91 years that she was on this earth. She lived every day as if it were her last. In fact, in the last two weeks, she got to watch her eldest great grandchild, Colleen graduate from high school, be the first passenger in Colleen's new car that she got for graduation, hold and snuggle her youngest great grandchild, Tucker while watching all the other great grands swim in the swimming pool. She never failed to tell you that she loved you every single time she saw you. At the end of her life, she was secure in the fact that she loved her entire family with her total being and just like Jesus would do, she had forgiven all.

Nanaw, we will miss you so much but we will see you again someday.