Lola Tuttle Miller
Lola Miller passed to life's next adventure on June 16, 2009 at 101 years old. She was the 4th of 7 children born to Henry and Malinda (Braithwaite) Atwood on October 31, 1907, in Alameda, California, and grew up on a small farm in Modesto. In 1936, she moved to Redding where she taught piano for 56 years to hundreds of students, each of whom she treasured. As a child, she taught herself to play piano before learning to read music. She composed the music and lyrics for musicals produced by Shasta College (Zombo, 1976; The Crooked Tree, 1980; The Bingo Game, 1984); First United Methodist Church (Time Travel, the Search for Bethelehem, 1995; Time Travel, the Return from Bethlehem, 1998), and the City of Redding (Redding's Centennial musical in 1987). She wrote a novel (Run for the River), one screenplay, two stage plays, numerous poems, and an anthology of true short stories about her life, That's the Way it Goes, expanded in 2007. She presided over Redding's Business and Professional Women's Club and the Shasta County branch of California's Music Teacher's Association.
She is preceded in death by her husband Harold Miller; brothers Lawrence, Clarence, Harold, and Leslie Atwood; and sister Pearl Sanguinetti.
She is survived by daughter Jenny Hunter Groat (maiden name June Hunt) and son-in-law Peter Groat of Lagunitas; sister Edna Thomson of Modesto; stepson Pierson Miller of Coeur d'Alene, Idaho (and step-grandchildren John and Monica); stepdaughter Kathleen Tastad of Sacramento (and step-grandchildren Amy, Holly, and Tom); great-niece Vicki Nolta of Willows; and numerous great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. Her grace, wit, and zest for life continue to inspire many.
Services will be held June 22-23 at McDonad's Chapel, 1275 Continental St., Redding (530-241-1626): visitation Monday, June 22, 6-8 PM; celebration of life begins Tuesday June 23, 10 AM. For more information, call Marla Doherty at 530-241-1045. Contributions may be made to Writers' Forum of Redding, Shasta County Arts Council, First United Methodist Church, Mercy Family Health c/o Mercy Foundation North, Mercy Hospice, or other organization of choice.
LARRY EARL ATWOOD NOV 7, 1914 - JAN 17, 2009
Larry was born in Modesto in the home his father built. He was a resident of Modesto from 1914 to 1941, attended Modesto High School and graduated in 1932. He learned to fly at age 15 and teaching other pilots at age 21. He worked as an Auto Mechanic from 1932 to 1938 for Higgins Auto Shop in Modesto. In Feb 1938 thru Oct 1939 he owned Atwood Flying School in Modesto and was a Flight Instructor, from 1939 to 1941 he worked at Pathfinder Flying Service in Modesto as an Instructor and Supervisor. From April 1941 to Feb 1944 he lived in Tulare where he was a Flight Commander for Rankin Flying Academy instructing Army Air Cadets in their Primary Phase of Flight Training and was an Instructor's Supervisor. He was honored to serve as one of Tex Rankin's Primary Instructors. Larry served in the US Army Air Forces from April 24,1944 to Janaury 16, 1946 as an Air Transport Command Flight Officer in Long Beach where he ferried Military Aircraft during World War II. Aircrafts flown there were C-45, C-47, B-24, B-25 & B-17. Larry resided in Turlock from 1946 to 1959 where he started Atwood Flying Service. He then moved his family and his business in 1959 to Newman, CA, where he owned and operated Atwood Flying Service until 2004. Larry continued to teach pilots throughout his life and he was still flying planes into his 80's. He was a resident of Mariposa since 2000 where he enjoyed his retirement. He was a Veteran of the US Army Air Forces and he enjoyed Flying, Hunting, Fishing and Mining. He was a member of Turlock Moose Lodge #1679.
Larry was preceded in death by his, wife Ethel Fern Atwood (Hurd), his son, Leslie Earl Atwood, 3 brothers Harold, Clarence and Leslie Atwood, and 1 sister Pearl Sanguinetti. He is survived by his partner Joan Wilkinson of Gustine; daughter, Janice Davis of Riverbank; 5 Grandchildren, 10 Great-Grandchildren; sister Edna Thomson (Age 98)of Modesto and Lola Miller (Age 101) of Redding. He will be greatly missed by all!!
A visitation will be held from 5:00 to 8:00 pm, Wednesday, January 21st at Hillview Funeral Chapel in Newman. A visitation will be at 10:00 am with a Funeral Service at 11:00 am, Thursday, January 22nd at Hillview Funeral Chapel in Newman.
Interment to follow at Hills Ferry Cemetery in Newman. Remembrances may be made to: Orestimba Presbyterian Church, 1107 Kern Street, Newman, CA 95360. Services conducted by Hillview Funeral Chapel, Newman.