Valeta Evans Stone

Valeta Evans Stone, 86, of Irwin County, passed away Sunday, February 15, 2026 at Tift Regional Medical Center in Tifton, Georgia.

Graveside services will be held 4 PM, Friday, February 20, 2026 at Pinetta Cemetery in Irwin County with the Rev. Chuck Taylor officiating.

Mrs. Stone was born May 1, 1939 to the late W.G. and Mattie Lou Smith Evans. She worked in activities at Tift Health Care for 38 years, and most recently worked as a greeter at The Paulk Funeral Home in Ocilla until her death. She was an active member of Englewood Baptist Church where she enjoyed eating Sunday lunch each week with special friends Christine Wiley and Tina Wiley Baldwin after services. She also enjoyed completing Bible word search puzzles and listening to gospel music. Her pride and joy were her four-legged cats that lived on the front and back porches of her home. Above all she loved her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Mrs. Stone is survived by two sons: Lance Golden and Jason (Ashley) Golden of Tifton, and by four step-daughters, Eudine Golden Hill of Tifton; Teresa (Roland) Diaz of Brooksville, FL; Amelia (Kevin) McElyea of Mooresville, IN; and Pam (Tony) Armas of Bremen. She is also survived by grandchildren: Emeri Golden, Payton Golden, Shane Hill, Katianne Ball, Brooks Robinson, Chris Robinson, Michael McElyea, Andrew McElyea, Nate Armas, and Izzy Armas and by one sister-in-law, Betty Stone Casper of Fitzgerald. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Rev. Bobby Stone, her siblings, Kenneth Evans and Jane Evans Nash, a stepson, Damon Stone, a step son-in-law, Walter Hill, and a granddaughter, Michelle McElyea.

The family requests no flowers; however, donations may be made to Englewood Baptist Church in her memory. Checks should be made to Englewood Baptist Church, C/O Christine Wiley, 792 Jackson Road, Fitzgerald, GA 31750.

Paulk Funeral Home, Ocilla, is in charge of arrangements.