Ann Stone

Our beloved “Mimi”, Ann Traylor Stone, departed this life for the next at dawn on Sunday, September 24, 2023. She breathed her last at home, in her bedroom, surrounded by those she loved most, her husband, her son and daughter-in-law, her daughter and son-in-law, her grandchildren, and even her loyal companion, Charley the Corgi.

Ann was born on April 8, 1946 at Crawford Long Hospital in Atlanta, Georgia, to Roy Allen Traylor and Carolyn Powers Traylor. She attended Briarcliff High School in Atlanta and graduated in 1964.

She is survived by her husband Pete, to whom she was married for fifty-four years. They were married on June 28, 1969, in Atlanta, Georgia, on the hottest June 28th on record in Atlanta at the time. They both retired some ten or so years ago, she from a teaching and counseling career in the Lowndes and Valdosta school systems and Valdosta State University. In retirement, the couple particularly enjoyed traveling. Their last trip together was in June and July of this year, when they celebrated their 54th wedding anniversary on the banks of the Cherwell River in Oxford, England. Ann had tried during their 54 years together to get Pete to Europe, and finally succeeded.

She and Pete had met as undergraduates at Mercer University in Macon. She was a member of Chi Omega Sorority. They married soon after graduation and moved to Valdosta briefly while Pete completed his application to law school. Upon acceptance for enrollment at the Mercer law school, the couple returned to Macon for the next three years. Following Pete’s graduation, they returned to Valdosta and Pete began his law practice.

Ann loved her family dearly and always looked forward to family gatherings. If you asked her, she had the best husband, son and daughter, daughter-in-law and son-in-law, and grandchildren imaginable.

Ann was a woman of many gifts and talents and was constantly sharing them with others. For example, when Pete started holding weekly bible studies for high schoolers at their home, Ann noticed that many had come directly from football or baseball practice and hadn’t been fed since lunchtime. She started preparing lasagna or spaghetti and served generous portions to the starving teenagers at every Thursday night meeting. There was always just enough; she miraculously never ran out of food.

Ann is survived by her husband Pete, the love of her life, her son Andy Stone and daughter-in-law Amanda Bloodworth Stone, her daughter Katie Bearden and son-in-law Brook Bearden, all of Valdosta; her five grandchildren, Abbie Kate Bearden, James David (JD) Bearden, Anna Marie Bearden, Henry Stone, and Will Wright Stone. Also surviving are her sister and brother-in-law, Carol and David Woodall of Franklin, Tennessee; sister-in-law and brother-in-law Deanna Stone Clepper and Doug Clepper of Augusta, Georgia; numerous nieces and nephews, her beloved Corgi Charley. She is preceded in death by her brother, Roy Allen Traylor, Jr., and sister-in-law, Loretta Traylor of Summerville, South Carolina.

A celebration of Ann’s life will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, September 30, 2023, at Christ Episcopal Church, 1521 North Patterson Street, Valdosta GA, The Reverend Hal Weidman officiating. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Christ Episcopal Church. Condolences to the family may be made at www.mclanecares.com. Carson McLane Funeral Home.