Helen Louise McNaull Stone

GREENSBORO — Helen Louise McNaull Stone, widow of Mr. William H. Stone Jr., died Saturday, December 5, 2009, at her home.

A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. on Tuesday, December 8, at First Presbyterian Church Chapel, 617 N. Elm Street. The family will receive friends following the service, in the Blair Hagan Parlor.

Helen was the daughter of the late Thaddeus Weatherly McNaull and Margaret Woodson McNaull. She was also preceded in death by her younger brother Thaddeus Weatherly McNaull Jr.

After graduating from Canton High School and the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, where she earned a bachelor's degree in chemistry and master's degree in education, Mrs. Stone worked at Cone Mills Laboratories as a chemist. An unexpected request for her to substitute teach led to a mid-career change. She became a teacher at Ben L. Smith High School in Greensboro for nearly a quarter century. In earning her certification at Duke University to teach advanced placement chemistry, Mrs. Stone drew the attention of the College Board and they asked her to become an exam reader for advanced placement chemistry.

She later became a College Board representative, instructing teachers on methodologies for teaching chemistry. In recognition of her work in education, the State of North Carolina presented Mrs. Stone with its Presidential Award for Excellence in Science and Mathematics Teaching in 1987. That same year, she was also the recipient of the Chemical Manufacturers Association's Catalyst Award, given annually to the country's most outstanding chemists and chemistry teachers.

Mrs. Stone was a member of First Presbyterian Church in Greensboro.

She had an unquenchable zest for life, loved to laugh with her many friends and students, and enjoyed time with her family, especially her trips to the North Carolina coast.

Mrs. Stone is survived by her son, William H. III, of Franklin, and Cindy; son, Reed, of Greensboro; daughter, Dianne Norton of Lexington, S.C., and her husband, Doug; and daughter, Lynn Chafin of Greensboro and husband, David. She is also survived by nine grandchildren, William Stone IV of Asheville, Andy Nesbit of Columbia, S.C., Steffi Norton Hiltgen of Chesnee, S.C., and husband, John, Nick Norton of Lexington, S.C., and Mark Chafin, Chris Chafin, and Sam Chafin, all of Greensboro, Laura Norton Petrovich and husband, Michael, of San Diego, Calif., and Chris Norton of New York City; and great-grandson, Copeland Petrovich.

Mrs. Stone was also indebted to her caretakers, Sugar Dunlap and Debbie Stewart and to her doctor, Walter Pharr, a former student.

Memorials, celebrating her lifelong passion of learning and teaching, may be made in Helen Stone's honor to the UNCG Chemistry Department, 1000 Spring Garden Street, Greensboro, NC 27403.

Hanes Lineberry N. Elm Chapel is assisting the Stone family.

On-line condolences may be made at www.Mem.com