Funeral services for Lona Laura Nolan Ford Wood Russell will be held at 10:00 AM, Saturday, August 28, 2010 at North Monroe Baptist Church with Dr. Bill Dye, Rev. Warren Eckhardt, Dr. Steve Fowler and Pastor David Worthington officiating. Interment will follow at Mulhearn Memorial Park under the direction of Kilpatrick Funeral Home of Monroe. Lona Laura Nolan Ford Wood Russell, May 04, 1922-August 25, 2010. The length of her name and the number of her days confirm the quality of her life. Lona was born that spring to Sallie Armstrong Nolan and Palmer Nolan, being one of 12 children. The family included six brothers and six sisters. She is survived by her remaining sister, Foy Smith of Farmerville, LA. Lona's life was blessed with three marriages. The first was to Burnell Ford, the Father of her five children, Billie, Gaye, Faye, Sandra and Benny. The surviving siblings said farewell to their Mother at the very moment their departed sister, Gaye, said “Hello”. At that heavenly rejoining, her Mother, Sallie Armstrong Nolan and her Father, Palmer along with Lona's beloved Grandson Ben welcomed a fully engaged and renewed spirit home. What a reunion that must have been. Victory from defeat. Lona raised her five children in a small wood framed house on Ford Road at Linville, Louisiana. She instilled values of Love, compassion, dignity, humanity, humor and even a sense of naughtiness. The old country church, Faith in Christ and in herself allowed for a personality to develop that enabled Lona to raise those babies well. She did this even as everything around her, baked not only in the Louisiana heat, but in the poverty of those days. Once the children were grown, Lona began to want more from her time on Earth. Her powerful mind told her to fly, fly away and see if there's a better life, a better way. She found that life and the way with Harry Russell Wood. Together they became Harry's Seafood, “Where Friends meet to Eat”. The boat shaped establishment fed people for nearly ten years. Lona welcomed the full spectrum of human condition to her table. She enjoyed the socialization that her business allowed. It was part of her. Lona had found the economic security that follows self-determination, internal strength and true faith. Lona believed. After closing the restaurant in 1984 and surviving open heart surgery, Lona was retired and officially in Grandmother mode. Her home was full of Christmas parties, birthday parties, weddings, all types of loving events. She liked to spike the eggnog, use her pantyhose as Christmas stockings and of course feed anyone who entered her home. She got to live on the Bayou and watch the birds, alligators, turtles and the changing colors of a Louisiana autumn. Black Bayou was her television. The flower beds her laboratory. Lona loved God's Creation. After Harry's death in 1992, Lona was alone for the first time. Her life had always been a combination of work and obligation. A chance meeting with an old friend soon changed the rest of her life. Tony Russell was Lona's friend, companion and third husband. Tony loved her and she loved him. Mutual attraction, faith, understanding, communication and respect were cornerstones of that relationship. The final piece of security for that little girl from Union Parish had been obtained. Lona bloomed with Tony. They attended North Monroe Baptist Church, Lona's home church, and were infectious with their joy for Christ. They loved their Sunday school class and both believed in the power of prayer, redemption and in the Glory of His promise. Both were proud they had found each other. In addition to church, Lona and Tony traveled the country via motor home, train, bus and aircraft. They danced on Friday nights and spent their days under the porch at Black Bayou, still watching birds and gators, turtles and those Louisiana cypress trees. After Tony passed away in 2004, Lona relinquished her bayou view and began a slow but graceful decline. Again and again her true character shined. Her toughness subsided and a gentle family matriarch emerged. Iconic personalities such as Lona's never really dissipate. Time seems to only enhance their value and legend. Lona leaves a legacy of 11 grandchildren, many great and great-great grandchildren, numerous nieces, nephews and some really great friends. All of which will miss her humor, candor and, yes, her Gumbo. Lona leaves this Earth with the very values she instilled all those years ago in Billie, Gaye, Faye, Sandra and Benny. They are the values she met Jesus with. Lona, today, is intact and whole. Special Thanks go to Pastor David Worthington, her Sunday School Class, Staff of Azalea Estates and to Hospice Compassus care. Our family would ask that in lieu of flowers, Donations be made to North Monroe Baptist Church Building Fund, St. Jude Children's Hospital at Memphis, TN., or to a charity of one's own choice. Pallbearers will include Mike McKenzie, J. R. Fix, Kenneth Halley, Clarence Guice, Herman Ledet and Macon Lafoe. Visitation will from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM Friday, August 27, 2010 at Kilpatrick Funeral Home of Monroe