Dr. Stone Walker Caraway

Dr. Stone Walker Caraway was born in Meridian, Mississippi on September 6, 1933, and passed away February 19, 2025. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 68 years Eleanor Lynn DeBray, his parents the Reverend Porter Myers Caraway, Sr. and Minnie Merle Youngblood, and his older siblings LuNell Caraway White, Porter Myers Caraway, Jr., Dr. James Julius Caraway, and Samantha Rose Caraway King. As a Methodist minister’s son, Stone’s family moved around – in Mississippi, New Mexico, Texas, and Louisiana. He and Eleanor graduated from Winnfield High School and married in 1952 after their freshman year at Centenary College. After they graduated from Centenary, Stone attended Southern Methodist University’s Perkins School of Theology. He was the baritone soloist for the Centenary College Choir and for the Perkins Seminary Singers. During his forty-five years in the ministry, Stone was the senior pastor to eight churches, including starting the Jefferson United Methodist Church in Baton Rouge. He also served as the District Superintendent of the New Orleans-Slidell District and was the Executive Director of Administrative Services of the Louisiana Conference. In his earlier years, he enjoyed supervising summer youth camps. Stone served as a trustee and director on many boards for the United Methodist Church and in the communities he served. He considered it a highlight of his ministry to be a member of the Conference Board of Trustees when construction began of the Conference Center in Woodworth. In recognition of his commitment and accomplishments, Centenary College awarded him in 1981with the Doctorate of Divinity. Stone always enjoyed golf, and he and Eleanor made wonderful memories traveling to all 50 states, 35 countries, and 17 national parks. Stone felt that his greatest blessings were family: daughter Diane, son-in-law C.A. (Hap) Martin III, grandsons C. Allan Martin IV and Wesley Walker Martin, granddaughters-in-law Amanda Leigh Maxwell and Emily Alice Husted, and great-grandchildren Emma Michael, Avery Stone, Walker Allan, and Levi Reid. After retirement, Stone and Eleanor resided in Monroe to be near family. Visitation will be Tuesday, February 25 at First Methodist Monroe at 2:00 followed by the service at 3:00. Officiating will be Dr. Larry Stafford, Dr. Brian Mercer, and Rev. Bob Burgess. A family internment will be held at the columbarium at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church officiated by Rev. Gene Bryson.