LELA BOND
Lela Bond
Lela Bond (Underwood) was born in Haskell, Oklahoma on November 16, 1939 and she passed to her eternal home on May 31, 2021. It was fitting that it was Memorial Day as she knew that her freedom was won by the sacrifice of Another. Lela’s family moved to California when she was a child and it was there she met another Okie, Raymond Bond, whom she married in 1958. Ray worked as a steel scaffolder and Lela attended junior college and stayed home as they started a family. In 1971 they loaded their belongings in a truck and car and with four children, 3 daughters and a son, they made their way to Alaska. The last frontier felt like a land of opportunity. When the kids were asked if they needed their beds or bikes more, it was the bikes that got loaded on the truck and in 1972 another son was added to the family.
Lela lived a life of generosity and service and was active in children’s ministry at First Baptist Church, and Rabbit Creek Community Church, both in Anchorage, and First Baptist Church in Willow, Alaska. Ray and Lela were also involved with Child Evangelism Fellowship and Lela held a weekly Good News Club in their home for many years. She was an aunt and grandma to many more than her own kids.
In 1976 they started R & R Scaffold Erectors in Anchorage and Lela worked as the bookkeeper/keep dad out of trouble. They owned the company until 2003 when they retired and built their dream home in Willow, Alaska, on Long Lake. They put up a sign “Bond’s Backyard” and the house became a place where many memories were made with kids, grandkids, and friends.
In 2016 they moved to Wimberly, Texas to live near one of their daughters and son-in-law. Lela found wonderful community at the First Baptist Church in an adult Sunday school class, book club, and the Ukeladies. Lela loved to read, crochet, play the piano and ukelalele.
She and Ray found joy, even in hard times, and woke up any overnight guests with their morning laughter.
Lela is survived by her husband and childhood sweetheart, Raymond, her sisters, Martha Cochrell, and Wilma Miller, her daughter Rhonda Littrell and husband Mark, daughter Sue Floyd and husband Craig, daughter Pam Drake and husband Bob, son Dan Bond and wife Marty Seidel Bond, and son David Bond and wife Jen. Grandkids; Jeff, Garrett, Scott, Jillian, Robin, Sara, Hannah, Amber, Raymond, Dale, Mackenzie, Megan, and Ali. And, great-grandkids; Kellan, Desmond, Ro, Charlotte, Judy, Fiona, Foster, Hudson, Aurora, and Ryder.
A Celebration of Life will be held at First Baptist Church, 15951 Winter Mill Parkway, Wimberley, Texas on Tuesday, June 15, 2021 at 11 a.m.
In lieu of flowers please consider giving to First Baptist Church “Disaster Relief Fund”. Lela had a huge heart for kids and cared deeply about caring for those at the border.