Monta lived in the Ava area since 1939 Monta Irene Stone, daughter of William Alfred Messick and Alma Irene Mooney Messick, was born on Sept. 7, 1915 in Gassville, Ark., and went home to be with her Lord on Feb. 12, 2006, in Springfield, at the age of 90 years.
Monta lived in the Ava area since 1939, moving from Gassville.
On May 23, 1936 Monta and Lowell Thornton Stone were united in marriage in Gassville, Ark. She owned and operated a sawmill at Goodhope for over 27 years. She also ran the Roy Store and was postmistress in 1944 and 1945. Monta was a member of the Eastern Gate Baptist Church. She enjoyed playing bingo, dominos and pitch. She loved being with all of her friends and family and to tell stories about history.
To know Monta was to love her and to have a friend for life.
She was preceded in death by her parents, and six brothers and sisters, Herbert Messick, Major Mooney Messick, Nina Johnson, Beatrice Bradford, Laurel Messick and William Alfred Messick.
Her survivors include one sister, June Marie Dilbeck and husband, Harvey, Cotter, Ark.; two sisters-in-law, Frances Messick and Jean Stone; her nieces and nephews, Sue McCormick, Jan Stone, Mary Ann Messick, Alfa Mae Tilton, Alma Bell Franks, Leona Cheeks, Betty Ann Lee, Barbara Sue Davis, Billy Joe Dilbeck, Carlene Tony, Ramona Smith and David Albert Messick; a dear friend, Betty Bricker and her family; and other relatives and friends.
Services will be held at 2 p.m. today (Thursday) at the Clinkingbeard Funeral Home, Ava, with the Rev. Joe Lafferty officiating.
Interment will follow in the Goodhope Cemetery. Visitation is today from 1 p.m. till service time.
