Christi Luttrell

Christi Dawn Luttrell, Age 40, passed away April 29, 2014 at her home in Coffeyville due to an apparent seizure.

Christi was born in Medicine Lodge, KS on January 18, 1974 to Warren Roy Luttrell and Gwen Gerstner Luttrell Ellison. She moved with her parents to Coffeyville in 1975 and later to Tyro, KS where she attended school in Caney, KS. Her parents divorced in 1986. Gwen later married Tom Ellison in 1988 and Christi and younger brother, Nick, moved to Coffeyville. She attended Roosevelt Junior High and Field Kindley High School. She spent her senior year in Belton, MO where her father lived and graduated from Belton High School in May, 1993. She was active in sports and played her flute in band.

At age 19, the course of her life changed when she was in an auto accident and sustained a traumatic brain injury. She spent two long months in a coma. Doctors did not think she would survive. She miraculously recovered to the astonishment and joy of all who knew her, even though she had some remaining disability. Christi was dubbed The Miracle Girl by the head doctor at the rehab center and was amazed at the speed of her progress. Sustained by her family and friends with love and support, she worked hard on her rehabilitation and eventually moved into her own apartment and learned to live independently. Her undying determination and independent spirit were an inspiration to others throughout her life.

Christi earned an Associates Degree in 1998 from Coffeyville Community College and a Bachelors Degree in 2001 in Computer Science from Friends University, Wichita, KS. Her university graduation was an accomplishment of which Christi, her family and friends were extremely proud. While studying at CCC she had the thrill of going to New York City and singing with the college choir at Carnegie Hall.

She held several jobs in the Coffeyville area, her favorite job was working in the office of R.C.I.L. Resources Center for Independent Living, Inc.. She was a long time member of the Coffeyville City band. Christi was very active and always looking for something to do even if it was to run errands for others. She was often seen riding her scooter in downtown Coffeyville usually on her way to the gym and meeting and talking with old friends and new acquaintances. She had a beautiful smile and shared it with everyone. She attended many churches in the area, loved God and was a constant seeker of spiritual truths.

Christi is survived by her mother Gwen Ellison and stepfather Tom Ellison, Cherryvale, KS her father Roy Luttrell and wife Bonnie and family Belton, MO brother Nick Luttrell, Lawrence, KS grandparents Don and Carol Gerstner, Medicine Lodge, KS Uncle Kyle Gerstner and wife Janet, Lawrence, KS Aunt Lisa Gerstner Boston and husband Tom Boston, of Louisville, Co. Aunt Brenda Luttrell, Dallas, TX step brother Brent Ellison, Las Vegas, NV step sister Kim Brown,Whitehouse, TX step sister Tracey Scherer, Dallas, TX half sister Kimberly Paradis Great Aunt Patty Lawrence Great Uncle Dale Wilson
and numerous cousins.

Cremation has taken place and a Celebration of Life service will be held Saturday, May 17, 2014, 10:30 am, at the FordWulfBruns Chapel, 2405 Woodland Ave., Coffeyville, KS, with cleric Tom Boston officiating. The family suggests memorials to the Coffeyville City Band or the Pickwick Place activity fund. For further information, please contact FordWulfBruns Chapel 6202513100. To leave a special message for the family online, visit www.fordwulfbrunschapel.com