Bonnie Lucille Stoll (Seymour)'s Obituary
Bonnie Lucille Gardner was born March 27, 1922, in Petelo, Christian County, Missouri, to Jackson Fernando and Bonnie Agnes (Smith) Gardner. She and her two siblings were raised on the family farm south of Rogersville, Missouri.
It was 1941, while Lucille was caring for an invalid in Rogersville, that she would meet her future husband, Carl, affectionately known to all as ‘Carly’. He was visiting his sister, who lived just across the street from this family, when they met and were immediately smitten with each other. They wore a path between the two homes until, Carl Albert Stoll and Lucille, both age 19, were happily married. Their 42 years together was a love story. The first time Carl brought her home to meet his parents, he carved their initials in a tree on the farm, and it remains there today. The Stolls made their home in rural Fordland, where they raised their children, Bonnie and Sammy. Lucille was a dedicated wife, a loving mother, and devoted homemaker. Though strict at times and reprimands stern, it was all done out of love and caring for her family. Lucille was a woman of strong faith. She was baptized as a young adult in the Finley River near Fox Ford Bridge on Hwy Z in Webster County. She was a faithful parishioner at Fairview Church of Christ until it closed, then Fordland Church of Christ, until her health would not allow. A very talented self-taught artist, Lucille completed countless oil paintings, sketches, and colored pencil drawings. She was so skilled that she, along with a select few other self-taught artists, was invited by Drury College to host an exhibit of their work. Lucille always had an art project going and was very generous with them when finished. She shared her art with every child and grandchild, and many of her friends and neighbors. Even visitors with deliveries were known to be given a sketch or drawing as a ‘thank you’ for stopping by. Lucille was also a long-time quilter and always had one going in the living room. Every family member received a beautiful quilt at one time or another. At the vintage age of ninety-eight years, five months and twenty-five days, and surrounded by family, Lucille peacefully departed this earthly life for Heaven the evening of September 22, 2020, at Copper Rock Village in Rogersville, where she’d been a resident since last October. For the three years prior, she had resided at her daughter’s home in Fordland. In addition to her parents, preceding Lucille in death was the love of her life, Carly – and what a glorious reunion in Heaven that was; sister, Opal Gaileen Caswell and her husband, Ray; brother, Jackson Odell Gardner; her dear son-in-law, Billy Gene Lockhart; brother-in-law, Charles Stoll and wife, Cecil; sisters-in-law, Elma Staton and husband, John, Mildred Stott and husband, Ralph, Della Black and husband, Don, and Carl’s teen sister, Julia Stoll. Lucille leaves behind a legacy of memories, moments, and values which she created and instilled in her family during her 98 blessed years on this earth. Those left behind to treasure her memory include her daughter, Bonnie Lockhart, and son, Sammy Stoll and wife, Katherine – all of Fordland; four grandchildren, Bruce Lockhart and wife, Lane, of Nixa, Missouri, Boyd Lockhart, of Fordland, Brenda Lancaster and husband, Steve, of Springfield, Missouri, and Karl Stoll, of Fordland; nine great-grandchildren, Molly Lockhart, Destiny Lockhart, Addison Lockhart, Sarah Pearcy and significant other, Steven Williams, Jordan Meachem and husband, Steven, Leah Pearcy, Alexis Stoll, Jackson Stoll, and Kirsten Stoll; two great-great-grandchildren, Kellin Fittro, and Quinton Williams, and Baby Meachem due in November; sister-in-law, Ann Gardner; several nieces and nephews; and many more dear friends and neighbors.
Lucille was a kind woman. She was a good Mama. She loved her family dearly and they knew it. So many friends have said she was a sweet, sweet lady. Lucille will be sadly missed and fondly remembered by all those blessed enough to know her.
Memorials are to Easter Cemetery and may be left at the funeral home or sent to Home Pride Bank in Fordland, Missouri.
What’s your fondest memory of Bonnie Lucille?
What’s a lesson you learned from Bonnie Lucille?
Share a story where Bonnie Lucille's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Bonnie Lucille you’ll never forget.
How did Bonnie Lucille make you smile?