On Jan. 23, 2019, Stoney X Dale Qualls, life ended senselessly after helping a stranded motorist near his home. He lived in Learned, and was born in Vicksburg on Jan. 29, 1971. This obituary is being written with a heavy heart on his 48th birthday, a final gift to a gentle and loving soul.

Stoney graduated from Utica High School in 1988 and attended Hinds Community College. He attended Holy Savior Catholic Church in Clinton. He was employed by Waterview Casino in Vicksburg and had worked in the casino industry for over 25 years. At 21 years old, he suffered a traumatic brain injury caused from a motorcycle accident. Against all odds, he not only survived, but thrived. Stoney was a true southern boy who lived a simple easy lifestyle. He was the life of a party and used any excuse to have a backyard barbeque to spend time with family and friends. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, watching wrestling (STONE COLD) and football.  He loved going to Mass on Sunday with his family, riding the chicken (his lawnmower) with a cold one in the summer, and praising his son and daughter. He always said, “they are my greatest accomplishments.”

Stoney is survived by his wife of 20 years, Josephine “Josie” Qualls; his children, Jesse and Jacqualynn; his mother, Sandra McNamara Barber; his siblings, Jessy “Jay” Jeffers, Glenn Jeffers and Delores Thornton (Billy); his in-laws, Vicky Aranas, Lucy Beluso and his brother by marriage, Maxwell Beluso (Tess); his four-legged buddy, Duke and his loving cousins, nieces and nephews. 

He was preceded in death by his father, Jimmy Dale Qualls; his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Jesse Qualls, Mr. and Mrs. Frances Xavier McNamara; his stepfather, Chester Ray Barber; his family from the Philippines, Mr. and Mrs. Pedro Beluso and Richard Beluso.

Services for Stoney will be a visitation for family and friends on Sunday, Feb. 3, 2019, from 2-5 p.m. at Riles Funeral Home, 5000 Indiana Ave., Vicksburg, and a Mass will be held on Monday, Feb. 4, 2019, at 10 a.m. at St. Michaels Catholic Church, 100 St. Michael Place, Vicksburg, with Fr. McGing officiating.

Pallbearers will be Maxwell Beluso, Jay Jeffers, Alfred Aranas, Keith Scott, Randy Chappell, Clay Pell, Randy Armstrong and Kevin Ukele. Honorary pallbearers are the investigators and staff of the Hinds County Sherriff’s Department who worked tirelessly to bring Stoney home and the many people who prayed for and with us during our worst hours and days. Contributions made in memory of Stoney may be made to The Brain Injury Association of MS, 1640 Lelia Street, Suite 100, Jackson, MS 39216, 601-981-1021. John 3:16