Rev. Joe Stone and his wife, Terry, celebrated 50 years of service to the gospel ministry on July 31 at Klein Baptist church, 1077 Klein Road, Harpersville.

Stone was born into the Fourmile Community of Wilsonville in 1935.

He surrendered his life to God’s calling to the gospel ministry in 1966 and is currently still serving as pastor.

He was almost 31 years old at the time of his surrendering.

He went to school at Samford University and has a B.A. in religion and a B.A. in sociology.

He continued his education later on at the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary and received his B.A. in theology.

Stone has ministered at Florence Baptist, First Baptist Sylacauga, Sylavon Mission, Red Bluff Baptist, Valdosta Baptist, Antioch Baptist, and is currently ministering at Klein Baptist Church in Harpersville.

He is married to his lifelong bride, Terry Dewberry of Wilsonville.

Together, they have two children, Deborah Crumpton and Jill Jordan.

They also have four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.