Naida Stone

Naida Anne Bailey Stone passed away May 8, 2011 after a 10month battle with lung cancer. She was born September 15, 1942 in Neodesha, Kansas to Maurice Souders Bailey and Marion Drew Graham Bailey, along with her twin sister Linda. Naida was preceded in death by her parents and her sister Linda. She is survived by her husband of 45 years, Wilbur A. Will Stone, Magnolia, TX, brothers Jeffrey W. Bailey Peggy of Denver, CO, and S. Graham Bailey Kathy of Lawrence, KS, sisterinlaw Ginger Cowan E.T., LaPorte, TX and exbrotherinlaw Johnie Cowan, Pearland, TX. She is also survived by her nieces Pam Hein Rick, Lisa Sullivan Tim, Linda Knoeck, Jamie Orlando Andrew, and Jeanie Cowan, nephews Seth Bailey Marilyn, Evan Bailey Saadie, Shane Bailey Katrina, Trent Bailey Taryn ,and Jeff Klingenberg Sherry, and six great nephews and ten great nieces. Naida graduated from Neodesha High School, and attended the University of Kansas where she studied art. She married Will on October 2, 1965 in Neodesha upon his completion of his Masters Degree from Kansas U, and traveled extensively as Wills career as a petroleum geologist from 19651996 took them to many locations both in the U.S. and in Southeast Asia. They spent 16 years overseas, living in Indonesia, Malaysia, China, Pakistan and Kazakhstan. Naidas artistic talents were renowned as she was an accomplished interior decorator, illustrator and fashion expert. She designed and illustrated a number of projects generated by expatriate ladies groups in each of the foreign countries where the Stones lived. Naida had a great ability to make friends with the local people she encountered in her travels and overseas residences, and maintained contact with many of these until her passing. Her friends included people from all social levels, and she was instantly at home in any group she encountered. She became involved with the local womens groups immediately upon arriving in each new assignment. Naida was also a legendary shopper and collector of art objects. The Stone home reflects her great taste and skill in acquiring unique art pieces and integrating these into every room. One of her pet roundtheyear projects was increasing her collection of Christmas ornaments for her spectacular Christmas tree exhibit. While Naida had no children of her own, she was a second mother to any child she encountered, especially those in her family. Her greatest interest was in her family, and she never wavered in her devotion to them and her Neodesha heritage. Also, she was an ardent and vocal fan of KU basketball. Naida will be greatly missed, but surely is already busy redecorating Heaven, and looking for new collectables to line the halls. Funeral services for Naida will be conducted on Friday, May 13 at 2pm in the Klein Funeral Chapel, Champion Forest Drive. A visitation will be held in Neodesha, KS from 9am 12pm on May 16, with graveside services in the Neodesha Cemetery at 2pm on May 16. In lieu of flowers, donations may be directed to the American Cancer Society, or the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals SPCA.