Jorenda Reynolds Stone

Jorenda Reynolds Stone, age 78 of West Monroe, Louisiana died peacefully at Saint Francis Medical Center on April 26, 2022. Jorenda was preceded in death by her much beloved husband, Gregory Phillips Stone; her late parents, Jennie Martin Reynolds and Odie Neil Reynolds; her siblings Jennie Reynolds Crump and Odie Neil Reynolds, Jr.; and her niece Anna Leslie Crump Gregory. Survivors include her nephew John Wesley Crump IV; Anna’s husband Mark Gregory; her great nephews John Wesley Crump V, Forrest Gregory Crump, Christopher Gregory, James Gregory, his wife Taylor Gregory; and her brother and sister-in-law Christopher and Kathy Stone.

Jorenda was raised in Caldwell Parish on her family’s farm, Synope Plantation. She attended Louisiana Tech University in Ruston earning degrees in speech and language pathology.  She married Gregory in 1966. Their careers took them to Houston, Texas and Phoenix, Arizona prior to returning to Louisiana to make their home in West Monroe. She worked at University of Louisiana - Monroe in the Special Education Evaluation Center and later the Educational Computer Lab until her retirement.

Described by many as an Icon, she was a fiercely independent free spirit who loved life and its many diversities. Known as one who dared to push the boundaries, her greatest pleasures came from brainstorming a project then coordinating an eclectic collaborative team to make the project come to life.  She was also an avid patron of the arts and loved nothing more than recognizing brilliance in all its forms, fostering support, and providing a showcase through coordination and enthusiastic encouragement. Always the consummate hostess, she was a fabulous and creative gourmet chef and loved hosting unique and memorable parties, soirées, fundraisers, and other unforgettable events. She had a unique, wonderful flair for decorating with a singular unparalleled style and unique vision.

Jorenda’s passion for local history and historical preservation led her to serve on the board of the G.B. Cooley House, underwriting an architectural speaker series.  Her research into the steamboat trade along the Ouachita River, lead to a documentary and a Smithsonian Exhibit at the Schepis Museum in Columbia, Louisiana.  Additional projects included research on General Erskine, and the Martin Homeplace in Caldwell Parish.

The Memorial Service will be held, 2 PM, Sunday, May 22, 2022 at Synope Plantation in Caldwell Parish, Louisiana followed by a celebration of life. Riser and Son Funeral Home in Columbia, Louisiana is handling the arrangements.

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to Louisiana Tech University Foundation, Gregory Phillips Stone Endowed Award of Excellence, P.O. Box 3183, Ruston, Louisiana 71272; Cooley House Foundation, P.O. Box 2183, Monroe, Louisiana 71207-2183; or the charity of your choice.