Ruth Elizabeth Stone

March 16, 2026

Ruth Elizabeth Stone was born in Pensacola Florida on March 4th, 1952, and died in Sant Pere de Ribes Spain on December 31st, 2025. She was predeceased by her parents George G. Stone and Pattie O. Stone.

Ruth leaves behind her son George Aaron Black of Washington DC and granddaughter Eleanor of Philadelphia, son Patrick Ezell of Dadeville, Alabama, and daughter Stacey Ezell (Mouloud) and granddaughter Cosima of Sant Pere de Ribes Spain.

Ruth also leaves behind four siblings, Bruce Stone (Anita), Laura Ferrell (Jerry), Jean Wiggins (Glen), Bob Stone (Cathy), and nineteen nieces and nephews. A private memorial service was held.

Ruth graduated as Valedictorian from Ernest Ward High School, Walnut Hill Florida in 1970. She earned a bachelor’s degree in social science from Florida State University and then in 1976 graduated with honors from Florida State University College of Law with a Juris Doctor.

Ruth’s career highlights include practicing with Florida Legal Services, assistant state attorney in the juvenile division of the First Judicial Court State Attorney’s Office, managing attorney for Legal Services Corporation of Alabama, and last in Ruth’s career, she was the Wayne and Pat Hogan Professor of Trial Practice at FSU. She was the faculty advisor for the FSU Law Trial Team and had served as a coach for mock trial competitions. The many highly acclaimed mock trial problems that Ruth wrote for FSU sponsored competitions included topics such as gun violence, right of access to Florida beaches by the public, use of drones, and more. Ruth retired from the university after serving for more than 22 years as a member of the clinical faculty.

Ruth led an adventuresome life. In addition to writing, Ruth was an avid reader, a member of many book clubs, a past president of the Tallahassee Women Lawyers, a joyful shopper of local arts, crafts, and food markets, a worldwide traveler, and our family historian. In her earlier years, she loved to camp, hike, and canoe with her friends and family.

Ruth had a kind and generous heart and will be missed by all who knew her.

Comments

One Response to “Ruth Elizabeth Stone”

  1. Karen Coleman Leonardi on March 20th, 2026 8:39 am

    I was so sorry to read this. Only in the last few years had I been back in touch with Ruth since high school. She was a good friend then and she still is now. I am so glad we got reconnected. My prayers are with all of her family.





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Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under Obituaries