Obituary: Hurlbut, Lucille
Lucille was born in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, 88 years ago to Earl and Emma Bailey.
She joined the Lord and her beloved husband on February 5, 2012.
Her dad was a typesetter/proofreader for the Memphis morning newspaper.
Her mom sang professionally on stage all over the country, but once married to Lucille’s dad, she did not work outside the home.
Lucille’s mom died in 1950 and, in 1968 her dad married Gladys, who then became her step-mom.
Lucille was blessed with an absolutely gorgeous voice and started singing at an early age.
She learned to play the piano, so that she could accompany herself.
Her love and passion for music was born in these early years and remained a constant throughout her life.
As a teenager, she performed in numerous professional productions of light opera directed by F. Hammerstein with the Memphis Open Air Theater.
Lucille was a gifted student with a vibrant mind and graduated as salutatorian of her high school class of thousands.
She confronted life with both intellect and humor.
Lucille’s first job for Sears was handling mail-order complaints, ranging from tractor parts to live chickens.
During the WWII, like many of the young patriotic women of the time, Lucille learned a man’s job and repaired radios for Sears.
Every weekend, Lucille played and sang with the boys at the USO since Memphis, Tennessee was a hub for training all five military services.
Lucille met Sgt.
Frank Hurlbut on a double date (with her cousin Margaret), while he was in training for veterinarian medicine.
She instantly knew that she had met her life’s partner.
They were married in 1946 after Major Frank Hurlbut returned from his station in China and had resumed his job with Safeway.
Lucille became a step-mother to Frank’s daughter, Bonny.
Frank was handsome, charming, outgoing, and loved to spin a humorous tale…and Lucille loved hearing them with smiles and her quick laughter.
She never failed to be his biggest fan and supporter.
It was her miss-adventures that provided him with most of the material for his comical monologues.
Frank was the innocent one in his tales and bore the brunt of all the hardships, as Lucille learned to cook, clean and be a new mother.
Lucille and Frank had two daughters, Glenda Kay - born in 1947, and Dorothy Ann (Dottie) - born in 1948.
The first fourteen years of marriage, Lucille was pretty much a stay at home mom teaching piano lessons, all over the Pacific Northwest.
One day, Frank surprised her with a new Hammond organ, which she quickly mastered.
A new passion was born!
Lucille then became an organ teacher at Whitman College and demonstrator for the Hammond Company.
Her faith was her core strength throughout her life.
She was always an active member in her local church, usually the Choir director/member or organist.
She attended many churches during her lifetime, but most recently was the organist at Opportunity Baptist Church while retaining her membership at Spokane Valley United Methodist Church.
In 1961, Lucille found her niche at the Colfax Grange Supply as a bookkeeper.
Retiring 25 years later, she was the head of the Grange Supply accounting department having ushered in the age of computerization.
Frank and Lucille then moved to Spokane, and soon Lucille’s mother, Gladys joined them.
Lucille lost Frank in 1989 and Gladys in 1995.
Lucille’s daughter, Kay, and her two boys, Richard and Chris, came from Hemet, CA to live with her in 1991.
Kay has been there for Lucille providing her with loving care, treasuring every moment.
Lucille opened her heart to many throughout her life, including Joy Long, who now is an honorary member of the Hurlbut family.
Lucille also offered a helping hand and loving guidance to many boys during troubled times.
Including: Josh and Brad (friends from Hemet) and another lucky soul was Patrick, who, as a student with ITT Technical lost his residence and needed a home.
All of the neighborhood kids called Mom “Grandma” and I know that they each had a special place in her heart.
Lucille had an amazing capacity of living Christ’s unconditional love.
Lucille is survived by daughters: Bonny Hurlbut, Glenda Kay Hurlbut, and Dottie Millsaps.
Grandchildren: Mark Millsaps, Richard Hole, and Chris Hole.
Great Grandchildren: Audrey Millsaps, Seth Millsaps, and Sophia Hole.
Also we wish to include with the family: Joy Long, Dan and Linda Hurlbut with special friends Linda Littleton.
Grave side service will be Friday, 2/10/12 at 1PM in the older section of Pines Cemetery.
Following internment, friends and family are invited to celebrate Lucille’s life during a memorial service at 3PM at the Spokane Valley United Methodist Church, 115 N Raymond Rd just off Sprague.