Cheryl Marie Stone went home to be with the Lord December 27, 2017.  She was born August 16, 1946 in Akron, Ohio to the late James T. Bates and Melva Bates.

Cheryl attended the Akron Public Schools and graduated from Buchtel High School in 1964.  After high school she completed administrative training in Cleveland, Ohio and in began working for the State of Ohio Department of Job and Family Services.  Cheryl completed the credentialing requirements and was certified as a social worker.  She worked for the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services as a social worker until her retirement.

She accepted Christ at an early age under the ministry of Elder C. H. Kirkland at True Vine Church of God in Christ.  Later, Cheryl united with Stone Deliverance Temple of Akron under the pastorship of Reverend Mary L. Stone.  Cheryl was very active in her church where she taught Sunday School, sang in the choir, and traveled to various affiliated churches in support of the ministry.  She was ordained as a minister in 1989.

May 30, 1968 Cheryl married Charles L. Stone.

She was preceded in death by her parents James T. Bates, Sr. and Melva Bates, sister Jacqueline Shropshire, brother James T. Bates, Jr, and stepdaughter Tanya Durham.

She leaves to cherish her memory husband, Charles L. Stone; sisters Cynthia Jackson, Lorraine (Allen) Jones, and Valerie (Joseph) Horton; brothers Leon (Yolanda) Bates, Milton (Rosetta) Bates, Anthony (Tresha) Bates, Wendell Bates, and Lance Bates;  brother-in-law Wade (Kim) Stone; step-grandchildren Tyland Durham, John Battle and Johniyah Battle, and a host of nieces, nephews, and friends.  Special friends Valerie Jenkins, Joan Sparks, Rachel Peake, and Debra Moore.