Iola S. Stone

Iola Sammons Stone, 92, was born April 25, 1923 in Gibson, Georgia.She died September 2, 2015, with her friends by her side in Elberton, Georgia. Her body lay in state on Friday, September 4, 2015, at 2:00 p.m. in the First Presbyterian Church of Elberton.A funeral service was held at 3:00 p.m. with Doctor Alex Williams officiating. She is survived by great nieces and nephews and dear friends. She was preceded in death by her husband, Allen Perry Stone, father and mother, Joe R. and Gertrude Lamb Sammons, sisters, Daisy Sammons Sheppard and Edna Sammons Milburn, and brother, Joseph Sammons. After graduating from high school, Mrs. Stone attended a two-year business college and then went to work for Southern Bell in Atlanta as an accounting clerk.Her marriage eventually led her to Elberton. For over 53 years, Mrs. Stone served the City of Elberton residents as a clerk, City Clerk, Finance Director, Assistant City Manager, City Manager, and, for 12 of those years, Mayor.She believed that public service was a calling and duty, delivered with integrity. Mrs. Stone could identify many positive impacts throughout her career.However, she was most proud of negotiating a contract to provide her community an on-going suitable water supply from Lake Richard B. Russell in 1986.The Elbert Theater and Mainstreet Elberton were both important projects which continued to remain dear to her heart in retirement. Her professional career included many highlights, including serving as President of the International Institute of Municipal Clerks (1984) and the Georgia Municipal Clerks and Finance Officers Association (1969).She was made an honorary lifetime member of both organizations due to her service.She was active in the Georgia Municipal Association as well as many other professional organizations. Mrs. Stone dedicated many hours to community service but held a special love for her participation and friendships in Beta Sigma Phi.Her fellow sisters will serve as honorary pallbearers. She was a faithful member of the First Presbyterian Church of Elberton where she served as an Elder. There she was active in Presbyterian Women and church history preservation.She was also on the Board of Directors of the Presbyterian Campus Ministry at the University of Georgia. Her interests included gardening, traveling, and antique hunting. Hicks Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to First Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 185, Elberton, GA 30635. Iola Stone provided her friends and fellow workers with a strong role model of public and community service built on a foundation of integrity, dedication, and duty.