Lutrell Bone

It is with deep sadness that we write to inform all who knew her that our mom, Lou Bone, has died. Lutrell Bone, known to her friends as "Lou" died in the early morning of Dec. 30, 2022 at Hospice House in Lehigh Acres, Fl. after being hospitalized following a fall. She was 87 years old. Born Lutrell Bollinger in Gastonia, North Carolina, on May 30, 1935, she was the youngest of 8 children born to parents Lula and George Bollinger. She was the last surviving sibling.

At 19 years of age Lou traveled with her wedding gown by bus from Gastonia, N.C. to marry James "Jim" H. Bone on July 3, 1955 in Biloxi, Miss.where Jim was stationed with the airforce. Shortly after marrying, Jim was sent to Korea for 2 years . Upon his return to the U.S. they lived in Washington state, where their son Doug was born. Her husband's time with the airforce afforded them lots of travel to different places and eventually they joined up with friends and settled in Chicago, Illinois, for a period of about 10 years.

While living in Chicago Lou worked at a restaurant and became life long friends with the owner, Duncan "Moose" Bowen. "Uncle Moose" as he was known to us kids, wanted to relocate to Florida, and our parents agreed. We moved as a family to the Ft. Myers area in the summer of 1974, and opened The Split Rail Restaurant on Estero Blvd. After Moose Bowen's death the restaurant continued until it was sold in 1987, at which time Lou went to work at a Hess gas station . She enjoyed working and the interaction with the customers and worked there until she stopped in 2012 to become her husband's caretaker. After his death in 2014 she never returned to work, although she wanted to.

Our mom was of the generation where even though she worked full-time outside of the home, she was also expected to work "full-time" in the home. She was always tired, and had little time for herself. Despite this, she was a very good mother, and we know we were loved.

After dad's death mom continued living alone on Carver Garden Lane in Ft. Myers. She loved the wild life that visited her yard and the stray cats that she fed. She survived a pandemic, - unvacinnated, and Hurricane Ian. She had many friends in her neighborhood and they were a great source of companionship for her.

She is survived by her 4 children, Doug Bone of Oklahoma City, Terra Bone of Tampa, Florida, Jackie Fisher of Ft. Myers, Florida, and Kelly Bone of Leigh High Acres, Florida. She has 8 grand children and 1 great grandchild.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.kiserfh.com for the Bone family.