Lucille Bell Mcelfish

Lucille Bell McElfish February 21, 1912–September 25, 2006 Lucille Bell McElfish, 94 of Waco, passed away peacefully Monday, September 25, 2006 at a local nursing home. Services will be at 11:30 am Thursday, September 28 at Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey Chapel with Raymond Bailey and Lu Treadwell of Seventh and James Baptist Church officiating. Burial will follow at Waco Memorial North Cemetery. Family visitation will be from 6 to 8:00 pm Wednesday, September 27 at the funeral home, 6101 Bosque. Lucille was born in Craig, Missouri February 21, 1912 to Luther and Grace Kite. Her early years were spent on the family farm and she then worked in a local café, where she met her future husband and life partner, Austin C. McElfish. Married August 28, 1938, the couple continued life in the Midwest, but when World War II began, the McElfish boys all joined the various branches of the military. Austin was eventually transferred to the newly-formed Army Air Corps and for 22 years, he and Lucille and their children, Sue and John, traveled from one assignment to another, serving the country they loved. Lucille made a home for her family in many places, including Utah, D.C., Alabama, Japan and Texas. Following Austin’s death in September of 1991, Lucille made her home with her daughter and son-in-law for 14 years and the past eleven months, she spent enjoying the activities at Royal Manor nursing Home. She especially enjoyed the Royal Manor Red Hatters group and playing Bingo with the other residents. Lucille was proud to be involved with the American Legion Auxiliary, Waco American Legion Post 121 and was a Life Member of that organization. She was a member of Seventh and James Baptist Church where she dearly loved the Gleaners class taught by David Pennington. Left to cherish her memory are her daughter and son-in-law, Sue and Jim Hooks of Woodway; son and daughter-in-law, John and Pat McElfish of Waco; grandson, Michael McElfish of Horsham, PA; granddaughter, Donna Short and husband, Art and great granddaughter, Kaitlyn all of Marlton, NJ and her brother, Denzil Kite of St. Joseph, MO. The family wishes to thank those who lovingly cared for Lucille during the past year: the staff at Royal Manor Nursing Home, physicians and staff at Hillcrest Baptist Medical Center, the staff at Hillcrest Hospice and all who made these final days more comfortable for Lucille and her family. Memorials may be made to the charity of one’s choice. The family invites you to leave a message or memory in our “Memorial Guestbook” at www.wilkirsonhatchbailey.com. Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey