Ted Luther Stone, son of the late Joe Hildred Stone and the late Irma Harrington Stone, departed this life on July 27, 2026, at 8:46 p.m.

Ted was born in Chatham County, NC. He accepted Christ as his savior through baptism at the age of 15 on September 27, 1964, at Princes Chapel C.M.E. Church in New Hill, NC.

Our beloved Ted was a man of lifelong service and devotion. His exemplary work ethic was remarkable. He enlisted in the United States Army on May 17, 1972. He honorably served his country on the frontlines of Vietnam as a Combat Telecommunications Radioman. He also notably served for 22 years as an Army Communications Operations Chief, earning Top Secret Military clearance. During his illustrious 30-year term of active-duty service, Ted received numerous accolades and written commendations, including the Legion of Merit, a Bronze Star Medal, a Meritorious Service Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal with Two Service Stars, and many, many more. Ted received an Honorable retirement separation from active duty on August 31, 1993.

Upon retirement from active duty, Ted just couldn’t sit still so he decided to embark on another career in juvenile corrections. He dutifully served a distinguished 20-year career in the Virginia Juvenile Justice System as a Corrections Lieutenant of Barrett Juvenile Correctional Center in Hanover County, VA and then as a Corrections Lieutenant at Oak Ridge Juvenile Correctional Center in Richmond, VA.

Ted met the love of his life, Valerie, on his first Army tour in Panama. The two celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in April 2026. During their union, Ted and Valerie raised two loving daughters, Melinda (1973) and Shawnna (1978). Even though he really didn’t want to, Ted also lovingly raised K9 fur babies after being sweet-talked into it by his family over the years. Rocky, Muffy, Shelby, and Chloe all loved him. When Ted thought Val and the girls weren’t looking, he could usually be found secretly giving them snacks and smiling at them.

Preceded in death by both of his parents (Joe and Irma), he leaves the following to cherish the memories of times spent with him: his wife (Valerie), his daughters (Melinda and Shawnna), his grandchildren (Iana, Trajon, Aaliyah, and Anthony), his great-grandchildren (Jordan, Giovanni, Gabriel, Gianna, Trajon Jr., Quinton Jr., Ali’Jia, and Adaya), his sister (Diane), his brother (Howard and his amazing wife, Kelly), his sister-in-law (Reverend Ann and her great husband, Peter), his brother-in-law (Milton Jr. and his incredible wife, Barbara), his brother-in-law (Lawrence), many nephews- particularly Joey and Josh- who frequently checked-in on their beloved Uncle Ted, nieces, cousins (particularly Grace and Larry) and the most profoundly incredible family friends.

So many people dearly loved Ted and we all greatly miss him, but we know Ted would especially appreciate acknowledging the tremendous love and support bestowed upon him and his family over the years by the following: Al (and his wife, Loretta), Ryan, Calvin, Julius, Ricky, Howard, Corey, Shaun, Carl, Karen M., and Karen S.

Ted was a devoted husband, a proud father, a loving grandfather, and the epitome of a friend.

The family would like to express their gratitude to the following who provided heroic care to Ted as well as those who provided comfort care to his family during Ted’s transition to his heavenly home: Caroline Fire-Rescue (particularly Paramedic Xavier, the ambulance and engine crews from Frog Level and Carmel Church, Lt. Brown, and the emergency dispatcher), the emergency room staff at Spotsylvania Regional Hospital, Meiki of Manchester Volunteer Rescue Squad, and Captain Nause of Chesterfield Fire and Rescue.

Ted spent his life serving the needs of others and working to better the lives of those around him. In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to charitable organizations important to Ted and his family. Please give as generously as you are able to:

Manchester Volunteer Rescue Squad

PO Box 198

Chesterfield, VA 23832

Manchester Vol. Rescue Squad, Inc. - JustGiving

https://www.justgiving.com/charity/manchestervolunteerrescuesquad

Autism Society of Central

Virginiahttps://secure.qgiv.com/for/autismsocietyofcentralvirginia

St. Jude Children Research Hospital

501 St. Jude Place

Memphis, TN 38105

https://www.stjude.org/donate/donate-to-st-jude.html

What a friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear!

What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer!

O what peace we often forfeit,

O what needless pain we bear, all because we do not carry everything to God in prayer! - What A Friend We Have in Jesus

“Ok, Shawnna- I’m Ready.”

~Ted Stone

1/1/1949- 7/27/2026