Elizabeth Blount (Liza B) Stone Connette

Elizabeth Blount (Liza B) Stone Connette, died on April 29, 2023 after a prolonged battle for control of the thermostat! Liza B was born in Jackson, Tennessee on March 19, 1930, the daughter of Albert Asa Stone and Sarah Springbett Stone. She died surrounded with deep love. Her glittering blue eyes mirrored her steadfast grace. A few minutes spent with Liza revealed a rare spirit dwelling within. Indeed, her kindness was as vast as the sea.

Liza graduated from the University of Tennessee in Knoxville where she met her husband, Edward Grant Connette, Jr., at a dance. Actually, Ed’s version begins with his repeated attempts to get her attention. Ultimately, he lobbed a tennis ball at her as she took a shortcut to class across the courts. Their journey together began in 1951 with Ed’s stint in the Air Force, followed by his seminary studies in Richmond, VA.

After Ed entered the ministry, they spent 18 years in Wilmington, 17 years in Richmond, and a return to Wilmington before moving to Raleigh to be closer to the care of family. Over 72 years together, they were greathearted parents and grandparents. They were dedicated church workers, with countless friends in Tennessee, North Carolina and Virginia – including Liza’s lifelong posse of twelve girls who met in kindergarten. Liza and Ed shared a love of the sea, the mountains, entertaining, and traveling. 

Liza was passionately devoted to Ed and their five children. Her kitchen was the center of their life together. A quintessential hostess, she could choreograph details and dinners for any number of people, most often her family of 25. She hoarded dark speckled bananas and left-overs. She was a wizard with freezer burned bluefish, Jell-O and Cool Whip.

Along with her involvement in her church community, Liza enjoyed her own career as a teacher at Alderman Elementary School and then as Director of St. John’s Episcopal Church Preschool, both in Wilmington. She delighted in children, demonstrating pure joy and unconditional love in their presence.

In addition to her husband, Liza is survived by her children and their spouses: Edward G. Connette III and Jane Harper of Charlotte, NC, Sarah Connette Rand and Jim Rand of Raleigh, NC, Betty Connette and Walt Clapp of Raleigh, NC, Albert Connette and Charlotte Matthews of Crozet, VA, and Andy and Jules Connette of Wilmington, NC; grandchildren and step grandchildren and their spouses David and Lisa Porter of Charlotte, NC, Peggie Porter and Keith Kirkpatrick of Charlotte, NC, Will and Linda Rand of Madison, WI, Joe Rand and Sintana Vergara of Arcata, CA, Grant and Katie LaJeunesse Connette of Front Royal, VA, Sarah Connette and Marybeth Campeau of Durham, NC, Emma Freeauf of Charlottesville, VA, Katherine Anh Clapp of Raleigh, NC, Garland Freeauf of Charlottesville, VA; and great grandchildren Hannah Rand, Sami Rand, and Marie LaJeunesse Connette. She was predeceased by her parents, her two brothers Albert Asa Stone Jr. and William Joseph Stone, her sister-in-law Sarah Tucker Stone, her nephew Addison Stone, and her beloved Phenoy Granberry, all of Jackson, TN. 

The family is grateful to Justine Cookson and all of Liza’s caregivers with Golden Harmony and Swift Creek Assisted Living. Special thanks to Liza’s daughters, Sarah and Betty, and their husbands, Jim and Walt, who tirelessly watched over Liza’s increasing need for care through her final years. Her sons, Andy, Albert and Woody, and their wives, Jules, Charlotte and Jane, all pitched in so that when Liza’s time came, she was able to die peacefully, in her own time, in her own bed, with her beloved husband, Ed, at her side. Her family cherishes lasting memories of her laughter, love, comfort, grace and abiding faith in life and in death.

Tolkien observed that, “All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.” Indeed, Liza made sublime decisions with her time, broadcasting grace and patience, acceptance, and love. She spent her life ministering to others.

A memorial service will be held at 2:00 pm on Sunday, June 4th, at St. Andrews Covenant Presbyterian Church, Wilmington, NC, followed by a reception and visitation time with the family.  In lieu of flowers memorial gifts may be made to St. Andrews Covenant Presbyterian Church for their ministry and mission with children.