April 1, 2014 (Tuesday )
Today a funeral service is being held at the First Baptist Church of Montgomery, Texas, for Rev. A. M. Stone. We pray that comfort from the Lord is flooding the hearts of Mrs. Stone and all the family. Brother Stone was 94 years of age, almost 95. He had a rich, full life in ministry for the Lord.
I first met Brother Stone when he was pastor in Waco, Texas, and I was pastor at Kosse, Texas, around 55 years ago. Baptists grouped their Associations into “Districts” back then and we met at one of the District meetings. From then on we would recognize each other whenever our paths crossed at a Baptist convention or other type of meeting.
Brother Stone retired from a long pastorate at Fairbanks, Texas, and became pastor of Timbergrove Baptist Church in Houston. He had been pastor there for a number of years when he took a vacation and asked his music director and our dear friend, Troy Conner, to take charge of the worship in his absence. Troy and his wife Ruth asked their old friends from Troy’s home church in Houston to come and lead the services. Maurice Smith preached, I sang a solo and several others participated.
During his vacation, Bro. Stone fell and had to have surgery as a result, so he asked Troy to arrange for a pulpit supply during his recovery. Troy asked me to do that, which I did, and after several weeks Bro. Stone reported that he had had a vision concerning the church and as soon as he was able he came to church in a wheelchair, resigned as pastor, and nominated me to take his place. The church accepted his resignation and called me all in the same motion and vote.
Brother Stone and Mrs. Stone moved to Conroe, but he remained a very dear friend to me, often calling me and encouraging me in the work. His ministry spanned almost 80 years, and he was greatly loved by all those to whom he ministered throughout his life. It was a wonderful privilege for me to have my name associated with his at Timbergrove Baptist Church.