Barbara B. Stone

Barbara B. Stone Greenville, SC Barbara Browning Stone of Greenville South Carolina peacefully died on Tuesday, April 9, 2013. Born December 30, 1933 to William S. and Zelle M. Browning, Barbara was a life-long advocate for the need of persons with disabilities. As the first Executive Director of the Greenville Association for the Retarded, she worked with parents and the community to build a program that now serves more than 1,500 children and adults. Barbara also worked with parents and legislators for the establishment of South Carolina's first Disabilities and Special Needs Board in Greenville. These boards are now present in all 46 counties in the state, with expanded responsibilities to service those with autism and head and spinal cord injuries. Barbara graduated Greenville High School in 1951. Having to drop out of Mars Hill College after one year due to financial hardships, she later married predeceased husband Jefferson Bennett Stone, Jr. in 1954. She is also predeceased by one brother, William Shirley Browning , Jr. (1932-1975) She was the recipient of numerous honors including WYFF TV's Jefferson Award, Order of the Palmetto, Order of the Jasmine, Greenville Civitan Club's Citizen of the Year and The Greenville Cultural Exchange Center's "Women Making History". Her memberships and affiliations included the South Carolina Developmental Disabilities Council, South Carolina Special Olympics Board of trustees and delegate to the National White House Conference on Handicapped Individuals and The Greenville Civitan Club where she served as Secretary for 8 years. Barbara's love of family was ever-present and she was able to enjoy her 2 grandsons, Patrick Browning Stone, Jr. and Parker Bennett Stone after retirement as Executive Director for over 30 years. She is survived by 3 sons, Jefferson Bennett Stone III, Barham Dillard Stone and Patrick Browning Stone, Sr. along with daughter-in-law Tammy and grandsons Patrick and Parker all of Greenville, SC ; by 3 nieces, Cindy Browning Bock of Gray Court, Lyn Browning Lamb of Greer and Melissa Browning Austin of Greer and one nephew, Charles Browning of Tennessee. Family/friends visitation will be held at Mackey Mortuary Friday, April 12, 2013 6 pm - 8 pm. A service to celebrate Barbara's life will be held 4:00 PM Saturday, April 13, 2013 at Mackey Mortuary, 311 Century Drive, Greenville. A private graveside service will be at a later date. Memorials may be directed to the Barbara Stone Foundation, PO Box 26567, Greenville SC 29616. A special gratuitous thank you goes to all the wonderful caring staff at Pendleton Manor Assisted Living. The Mackey Mortuary, Century Drive