Elizabeth Louise "Bettye Lou" Marable Stone
Elizabeth Louise "Bettye Lou" Marable Stone, 88, of Hixson, peacefully passed into the arms of her Savior on Wednesday morning, May 21, 2025.
She was born in Palmyra, Tn., in 1937. For 55 years, Bettye Lou was a devoted member of Central Baptist Church (Woodmore) and then Ridgedale Baptist Church where she faithfully served in children and youth program leadership capacities during her children’s formative years helping to solidify their Christian formation.
Bettye Lou was a dedicated Christian, a trusted friend, a strong advocate for her family and for all who knew her. Her faith in God never wavered and her compassion for others was boundless. She leaves behind a legacy of love, faith, and unwavering support for those who knew her.
Bettye Lou lived out her faith in her 67 years of marriage to Donald R. Stone whom she met while attending Austin Peay State College in Clarksville, Tn., in the 1950s. After their marriage in December, 1958, Donald and Bettye Lou taught high school in St. Augustine, Fl., where their first child was born in 1959. At that time, Bettye Lou put her career on hold while she raised their children. Once she successfully raised their four children, Betty Lou achieved a lifelong goal of obtaining a B.S. with honors from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. While pursuing her degree, she also had the enjoyment of being in a chemistry class with her 18-year-old son.
Upon graduating from UTC, Bettye Lou worked for the Roper Corporation as a home economist for several years. Following her time there, Bettye Lou was blessed to find what she recognized as another life's calling at Bethel Bible Village where she served as the education coordinator for the Bethel kids for many years. She found a place where she could demonstrate in a tangible way her love for the Lord and for young people in crisis. The Lord used her to touch many lives during these years and while serving she had an instrumental role in launching the on-campus Bethel Christian Academy, an institution that continues to meet the educational needs of the students of the BBV campus.
She was an avid seamstress and made her own wedding dress and that of her daughters'. She also loved flower gardening, reading and bird watching. More than anything, Bettye Lou loved her Lord, her husband, her family and especially found joy in her grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Repps Corban Marable and Emily Louise Gunn Marable.
Growing up as an only child, Bettye Lou wanted a large family of her own. Her many survivors have been so blessed by her love and grace. Her survivors include her husband of 67 years, Donald R. Stone; son, Donald Corban Stone (Peggy) of Gadsden, AL; daughter, Emily Anna Stone Garrett (John); son, Robert Daniel Stone (Luci), daughter, Elizabeth Lee Stone Turner (Rollin), all of Chattanooga; 10 grandchildren who love each other and eight great-grandchildren, and counting.
The family will receive friends from 5-7 p.m. on Friday, May 23, and 9-10 a.m. on Saturday, May 24, at the North Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, 5401 Highway 153.
Funeral services will be held at 10-11 a.m. on Saturday at the North Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, 5401 Highway 153.
Memorial contributions may be made to Bethel Bible Village and Ridgedale Baptist Church, Chattanooga.
Arrangements are by the North Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory and Florist, 5401 Highway 153 Hixson, TN 37343.
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www.chattanooganorthchapel.com