My sweet momma, Cheryl Lynn Stone, 64 of Toano, VA passed away on August 20, 2019.

My name is Kandi Stone Shaw (Donelle) and I am the daughter of Cheryl Lynn Stone. It’s my absolute honor to tell you about this phenomenal woman I called “mom”.

Momma was born October 28, 1954 in the mountains of PA but the place she considered her home was Toano, VA. The reason we call this beautiful area home is because of a lifelong friendship of Cheryl Stone and Ann Agnew over a puppy named Noah. I always say I was doubly blessed to have two wonderful parents. For those of you who don’t know, Ann raised Cocker Spaniels and back in the 80’s my mom bought a sweet puppy from her. A few years down the road, the entire family moved in with Ann and we became the most functional dysfunctional family ever! Mom and Annie worked hard to raise their 3 children together…they never missed a concert, game or any other special event that my siblings and I were involved in. Birthdays are so very special in our family. Many times, momma would get together with my boss and decorate my office long before I even came into work…and there was always a beautiful cake that she had decorated herself. She also loved being able to give you her Irises’ out of her garden, which were her pride and joy! Or to be able to drop off your favorite dessert, just because…momma just loved planning surprises her family!

Mom loved life and was completely of the mind set to “figure it out”. That is evident in her children that can fix about anything…or at least we try to! Though mom had to retire a bit earlier than she wanted, her goal was to do one good deed for one person each and every day…which she did until she became ill. A favorite quote of hers from Ralph Waldo Emerson was “You cannot do a kindness too soon, for you never know how soon it will be too late”. She always encouraged us to forgive, laugh, love and beyond everything else…be kind.

Momma always said to us to “give roses to the living”. So we ask that you get a bouquet of flowers, no matter the size, and give it to someone that has helped you be a better person or that has shaped you into the person you are today.