James Ray Stone

James Ray Stone April 21, 1929 – November 5, 2017 James Ray Stone, passed away Sunday afternoon at Kitty Askins Hospice Center in Goldsboro. An entombment will be held Wednesday at 11 a.m. in Evergreen Memorial Park, Wilson. The Rev. Tim Worrell will officiate. The family will receive friends Wednesday morning from 9:30 – 10:45 a.m. prior to the service at Joyner’s Funeral Home, 4100 Raleigh Road Parkway, Wilson, and other times at the home. James was born to the late Dwight and Dottie Griffin Stone. Upon graduation from Bailey High School, he attended the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill until his father died and he returned home to operate the family business. When his brother, Dee took over the family business, James then opened the J. R. Stone Lumber Co. Inc., in Wilson, until he retired. James was an avid Carolina Sports fan and enjoyed cheering the “heels” on at all the football and basketball games. After the games he always enjoyed going by the Rams Club and rehashing the games. James is survived by his wife of more than fifty years, Sonja; his son, James Ray Stone, Jr. and wife, Jenny of Orange County, California; his step-grandsons, Nathan Kim and Matthew Kim of Orange County, California; his daughter, Joy Stone Worrell and husband, Tim; his grandsons, Timothy and wife, Kara, Gresham, Knox and Thomas; his granddaughter, Katie Joy all of Aiken, South Carolina; sisters, Jean Burnette, Lucy Stone, and Joan Goodman and husband, Grady; brother, Billy W. Stone and wife, Nancy; brothers-in-law, Elwyn Lamm, and wife, Donna , and Clyde Lamm; and sister-in-law, Jean Cone Stone, and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Dwight and Dottie Stone; his sister, Mavis Batts; his brothers, Dee, Roland, and Raymond, and his brother-in-law, J.D. Burnette. Flowers are welcome or memorials in James’ memory can be made to Kitty Askins, 107 Handley Park Court, Goldsboro or a charity of one’s choice. Condolences may be directed to Joyner’s Funeral Home at www.joyners.net.