Obituary of Emily Gow Sutton

Emily Bellue Gow Sutton, 101, was born May 8, 1910 in Beaumont, California to Martha and Charles Bellue, the sixth of ten children. Emily moved from the Pass area during the Depression when she took a job in Los Angeles as a food server, supporting herself and sending money home to her parents. It was in Los Angeles that she met her husband, Irving Gow. They lived a short time in Ohio before moving back to Banning where they raised two daughters. Emily and Irv owned and operated Banning Auto Service, Gow's Texaco Station in Banning and AAA Towing which serviced the area between Whitewater and County Line Road. Irv died in 1960 and after his death, Emily alone operated Gow's Texaco Station and AAA Towing, while raising a 10 year old daughter. In 1965, Emily married Ralph Sutton, who worked together with her at the station. Emily continued working until she was 79 years old. In her "retirement," Emily enjoyed spending time with her family, baking for the local police, postal and fire workers, and knitting hundreds of hats for children born at San Gorgonio Memorial Hospital. May 8th was declared Emily Gow Sutton Day in the city of Banning on Emily's 100th Birthday in recognition of Emily's service to the city. Emily was honored with a Distinguished Service Award by the Banning Methodist Women for her knitting work with the hospital. Emily will forever be remembered by her family and friends as strong, loyal, hardworking, thoughtful, genuine and loving. Emily is preceded in death by Irv Gow, Ralph Sutton, her parents, and nine brothers and sisters. She is survived by her two daughters, Norma Shedden, of Montana and Vickie Larkin of Beaumont. Two sons-in law, Bill Shedden and Tom Larkin. She is survived by five grandchildren: Debra Davis of Montana, Jim Herra of Banning, Linda Herra of Banning, Eric Munsey of Beaumont and Leah Larkin Dixon. She is survived by ten great grandchildren: Trava Herra, Jayson Addington, Sara Vik, Ashley Davis, Heather Davis, Marcos Munsey, Kayla Herra, Emmy Dixon, Callan Dixon and Thomas Dixon. Emily had one great-great grandson, Zachary Vik. Emily died March 4, 2012, 2 months shy of her 102nd Birthday. Services will be held Thursday at 1PM at Wiefel & Sons in Banning. Emily will be buried at San Gorgonio Cemetery. Emily will be deeply missed and forever remembered by her family and the friends whose lives were enriched by her love.