Celesta Lavere Stone

Ava, MO

Celesta Lavere Stone, 89 years, passed away on December 31, 2012 at Heart of the Ozarks Healthcare, Ava, MO with her family by her side.

Celesta was born December 4, 1923 in Witty, MO to Arthur John and Florence (Hammons) Hodges.

Celesta lived most of her life in Douglas County. She was a housewife and a had been a school teacher at Turkey Flat. On January 5, 1944 Celesta and George Charles Stone were united in marriage in St. Joseph, MO and to this union five children were born.

She was a Christian and always attended church until her health started failing. Celesta enjoyed sewing, cooking, gardening and reading her Bible. Her joy in life was taking care of all her family.

Celesta was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, George, a daughter, Connie Stone, one sister, Edith Curtis and one brother, Delmar Hodges.


Celesta is survived by four sons and their spouses, "Butch" & Dawn Stone, Ava, MO, David "Mutt" Stone, Drury, MO, Mike & Debbie Stone and Danny Stone all of Ava, MO, one grandson, Darren Stone, six step grandchildren, 11 step great grandchildren, one brother, Norman Hodges, St. Joseph, MO, many nieces, nephews and a host of other relatives and friends.


Graveside services for Celesta will be Thursday, Jan. 3, 2013, NOON at the Yates Cemetery east of Ava. Visitation will be Thursday from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. in the Clinkingbeard Funeral Home, Ava, MO. Officiating will be Pastor Tom Hodges. Memorials may be made to Yates Cemetery.