Nathaniel Stone Sr was born on February 17, 1930 to Cleve Hopkins and Miona Stone in Tupelo, Mississippi. He grew up with his brother Louis, and lived with his mother and grandmother on Barnes Street. He attended George Washington Carver School and then served in the Army, after which he played baseball in the Negro American Leagues with the Chicago Blacksox and Memphis Redsox alongside his friend country singer Charley Pride before receiving his Bachelor of Science at Mississippi Industrial College and his Masters of Elementary Education School administration at Jackson State University. He then went to the classroom as an educator--first in Kosciusko and then back to Tupelo--where he wore many hats-as coach, teacher, and ultimately principal. He was principal of Green Street Elementary from 1963-1992 and Milam intermediate school from 1992-1999, the year of his retirement.

He is preceded in death by his wife of 64 years, Clytee Stone. He is survived by his children, Debra Stone, Nathaniel Stone Jr (Patrice), and Gwendolyn Stone, grandchildren Dr. Britt Stone and Keenan Stone (Austin, TX), a host of other relatives in the US and the Bahamas, as well as those left to cherish his memory-- A special acknowledgement of Marion Chapman and the late Ray Gates.

Mr. Stone was a constant presence in the community--he was a deacon and active member of his church Springhill Missionary Baptist, and could often be found refereeing high school sporting events, fishing on the local rivers, hunting, training bird dogs, and playing golf.