Lucille Bolton Hester, 95, of the Red Rock community in Tuscumbia, AL, passed away April 1, 2026. Visitation will be held at the Colbert Memorial Gardens chapel on Monday, April 6 at 11:00am. The funeral service will begin at 1:00pm in the chapel, with graveside burial in the adjoining gardens immediately following. Pallbearers will be from among grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, the family encourages donations to Make-A-Wish, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, or a charity of your choice. The family offers our sincere gratitude to the staff and nurses at Mitchell Hollingsworth and the caregivers of Southern Care Hospice for their service, dedication and concern she received.
Lucille was preceded in death by her husband of over 75 years, Denton, her parents Douglas and Be Etta Bolton, and siblings Douglas Bolton Jr., Marie Gattman, and Charles Bolton.
Lucille is survived by her sons, Larry (Sandy) and Randy (Marian); grandchildren, Chad (Alana), Will (Titus Daniels), Nicholas (Bess), and Emily (Jason) Reaves; great-grandchildren, Jay, Anna Lee, Samuel, Eleanor, Thomas, Madeline Hester and Luke Reaves; sisters Ima Jean Hutchins and Nancy Borden, along with a host of nieces and nephews.
Lucille was born on October 1, 1930, grew up in Sheffield, and while working in her father’s general store in 1947, she met and soon married Denton. Together they made their home in the Red Rock community, raising their sons on a small family farm while Denton worked for TVA. Lucille worked tirelessly both inside and outside the home, including stints on the staff of the Cherokee High School cafeteria and the dentist office of Dr. Howard Gamble.
Lucille’s jovial, caring nature generated friendships within every facet of her life, and her most beloved hobby was visiting with and entertaining her many friends and loved ones. Although her home was never a large one, Lucille and Denton showed boundless hospitality which welcomed anyone for a good visit or a wonderful meal, always remarkable in warmth or laughter.
Lucille nurtured her faith and discovered many new friends through fellowship in Christ during her participation in Community Bible Study groups at both Woodmont Baptist (Florence) and Barton Baptist churches. For many years, she held great joy in her weekly trip down Red Bay Highway to Carolyn Hooper’s beauty salon. Her standing appointment for a few minutes of hair treatment, coupled with several hours of talking, would usually be a highlight of her week. Carolyn’s passing in 2007 left a void in Lucille’s life that was never quite refilled.
Lucille’s brightness, her willingness to serve and uplift others, never dimmed. She always dismissed any ailment or obstacle that would have interrupted her mission of loving her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Her family has found it difficult to replicate Lucille’s perfection of stuffed pickles, fried catfish, coconut cake, or even her simple milkshakes. It will be impossible to replace her distinct laughter. But the way she lavished love on those around her will reverberate within our family for generations.
