Annie Belle Johnson Stone passed away on Dec. 9, 2016. Annie Belle was born on June 2, 1926 in Ingold, the youngest child of Eugene Colistus and Daisy Ferguson Johnson.

Annie Belle grew up in Ingold, a small, close-knit, Sampson County community. She maintained close relationships with her friends and relatives in there her whole life, and always considered it to be her home. Annie Belle was an active person her entire life, and enjoyed being completely involved in any activity she undertook. She played basketball at Ingold High School, and was a member of the band at East Carolina Teacher's College (now ECU). She graduated from ECTC Phi Beta Kappa in 1947.

When she completed her education, she devoted herself to being the best teacher possible and taught elementary school in a number of eastern North Carolina communities. During her tenure as a teacher in Benson, NC, she met and married Warren G. Stone. During their early years as a married couple, Warren farmed and Annie Belle continued to teach. In the late 1950's, they moved to Raleigh, where Warren began his practice as a CPA. Annie Belle assisted Warren in the practice, while they raised their two daughters, Gail and Ann. During this time, she also made life-long friends through her involvement in a bridge club and the Ridgewood and Roylene Acres Garden Clubs, activities she maintained well into her 80's.

After the girls left home, Annie Belle began volunteering as a docent at the North Carolina State Capitol. Before long, the staff recognized her special ability to relate to people and they asked her to become the Assistant Educational Coordinator. In this capacity, she recruited, trained and scheduled volunteers to assist visitors and conduct tours. She made many friends through her years at the Capitol and enjoyed all of the many special activities, especially the Christmas season and the July 4th Celebrations.

Annie Belle and Warren enjoyed their retirement years as well. They traveled extensively and especially looked forward to spending time in their beloved vacation home in the North Carolina mountains. They loved UNC athletics and attended basketball and football games for many years. They loved to spend time with their three granddaughters, Anna, Caroline and Molly. Annie Belle was grateful for each of them and was proud to be their Grandma.

Annie Belle loved meeting people and making new friends. She was always genuinely interested in learning about them and hearing about their activities. She had a ready smile for everyone, boundless energy, a wry sense of humor, and had a talent for putting everyone she met at ease. Her gentle grace, patience and kindness knew no boundaries.

Annie Belle Stone was predeceased by her husband of 58 years, Warren G. Stone, as well as her parents and three brothers, Eugene, Jr (Buddy), Harry, and Albert. She is survived by her daughters, Ann Stone and Gail Stone Sprecher, her son-in-law, Doug Sprecher, and her grand-daughters, Anna Sprecher Troxler (Davis), Caroline Sprecher and Molly Sprecher, all of Raleigh, and special nieces and nephews. She will be interred at Ingold Community Cemetery, 1233 Lisbon Bridge Road, Garland Dec. 11 at 3 p.m. with the Rev. T. R. Miller officiating. The family will receive friends immediately after the service.

The family would like to recognize the many years of evening and week-end care provided by Ann, to allow Annie Belle to remain at home. The family would also like to thank the staff at SarahCare for their loving care for the past four years, and for special care-givers, Shontaye Spencer, Brenda Cotton, Zalek Washington and Nicole Mann.