Emily Ann Sumner
April 6, 1934 - July 30, 2023
Emily Sumner, former long-time resident of Woodville, passed away in Katy, Texas, on July 30, 2023, at the age of 89. Local friends will remember Emily and her husband Otho (deceased) as owners of The Homestead Restaurant in Hillister for over 25 years, where they developed many close friendships with customers who visited the restaurant from all over the world. At one time, The Homestead, famous for its chicken fried steaks and pies that Emily made, was written up in Texas Monthly magazine. As restaurant owner, Emily also served a term as president of the Woodville Chamber of Commerce.
For most of their life as owners of The Homestead, Emily and Otho lived on their farm outside Hillister. There they entertained many of their friends that they had met at The Homestead. After they sold their country house, they bought a house in town on Eagle Drive, which they enjoyed for many years, as they continued to operate The Homestead. After Otho died, Emily lived on Eagle Drive up until she sold her home and went to live with her daughter Susan Hall and husband Jason in Weston Lakes. Prior to her move, she was an active member of St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Woodville, where she volunteered at many activities. She also was a volunteer at a community organization known as River of Life to help marginalized young women. She also made a mission trip to Haiti with her friends from First Methodist Church.
Prior to their opening The Homestead as a retirement adventure, Emily and Otho lived in Pasadena, Texas, where they owned and operated Sumner Sales.
Emily was born April 6, 1934, in Wharton, Texas, to Oscar William (O.W.) and Annie Laura Heye. As her dad was an engineer for Texaco, the family was relocated many times to different cities in Texas. Emily's fondest memories were of growing up in the Houston Heights, where she loved to ride her bicycle and go to see movies in downtown Houston with her mother and older sister. It was when the family was living in the Heights that her younger sister Mary Kay was born when Em was 11 years old. Despite the age difference, they remained close sisters. Emily was able to spend one of the last weeks of her life with her sister when they spent time driving around the childhood home and streets in the Heights.
After attending Dick Dowling Junior High School in Beaumont, Emily moved with her family to Waco, where she graduated from Waco High School. She later graduated from San Angelo Junior College, where the family also moved. It was in San Angelo that she met and married John O'Banion (deceased). She and John had two children, Brad O'Banion (deceased) and Susan Hall. For several years, she and John lived in Huntsville, where John taught high school and Em worked with the office of the Sam Houston College ROTC. After they moved to the Houston area, Emily worked with TRW Space Systems during the early NASA years and got to visit in Mission Control during one of the Moon landing missions. She later worked with the Ethyl Corporation. After she and John divorced in the early 1970's, she continued to work with Ethyl when she met her spiritual soulmate Otho Sumner. They were married for over 35 years at the time of Otho's death in 2011.
Emily will be remembered for her sense of humor and her love for being around people and talking. She especially loved drinking coffee and eating chocolate candy and desserts.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Oscar and Annie Heye; husband of over 35 years, Otho W. Sumner; son, Brad O'Banion; and sister, Margaret Noonan.
She is survived by her daughters, Susan Hall and husband Jason of Fulshear and Gail McCullough of Austin; daughter-in-law, Rosie O'Banion of Woodville; sister, Mary K. Heye Cloud of Houston; nieces, Kathy Weiboldt of Pasadena and Nancy Stem of Albuquerque, NM; granddaughters, Erin DuCharme and husband Colin, Lauren Hall, Heather Scammon and husband Rick and Nicole Chastain; grandsons, Kelly O'Banion and Trent Chastain and wife Lona; great grandchildren, Christopher O'Banion, Jonathan O'Banion, Micah Scammon, Madison Scammon, Dylan Chastain and Jordan Chastain; great-great grandchild, Oakley O'Banion; longtime friend and companion, Robert Emrich of Town Bluff; and a host of other family and friends.
Memorials may be made to First Fulshear Methodist Church Children's Ministry, P.O. Box 100, Fulshear, Texas 77441.
Services are under the direction of Stringer & Griffin Funeral Home in Woodville, Texas
April 6, 1934 - July 30, 2023
Emily Sumner, former long-time resident of Woodville, passed away in Katy, Texas, on July 30, 2023, at the age of 89. Local friends will remember Emily and her husband Otho (deceased) as owners of The Homestead Restaurant in Hillister for over 25 years, where they developed many close friendships with customers who visited the restaurant from all over the world. At one time, The Homestead, famous for its chicken fried steaks and pies that Emily made, was written up in Texas Monthly magazine. As restaurant owner, Emily also served a term as president of the Woodville Chamber of Commerce.
For most of their life as owners of The Homestead, Emily and Otho lived on their farm outside Hillister. There they entertained many of their friends that they had met at The Homestead. After they sold their country house, they bought a house in town on Eagle Drive, which they enjoyed for many years, as they continued to operate The Homestead. After Otho died, Emily lived on Eagle Drive up until she sold her home and went to live with her daughter Susan Hall and husband Jason in Weston Lakes. Prior to her move, she was an active member of St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Woodville, where she volunteered at many activities. She also was a volunteer at a community organization known as River of Life to help marginalized young women. She also made a mission trip to Haiti with her friends from First Methodist Church.
Prior to their opening The Homestead as a retirement adventure, Emily and Otho lived in Pasadena, Texas, where they owned and operated Sumner Sales.
Emily was born April 6, 1934, in Wharton, Texas, to Oscar William (O.W.) and Annie Laura Heye. As her dad was an engineer for Texaco, the family was relocated many times to different cities in Texas. Emily's fondest memories were of growing up in the Houston Heights, where she loved to ride her bicycle and go to see movies in downtown Houston with her mother and older sister. It was when the family was living in the Heights that her younger sister Mary Kay was born when Em was 11 years old. Despite the age difference, they remained close sisters. Emily was able to spend one of the last weeks of her life with her sister when they spent time driving around the childhood home and streets in the Heights.
After attending Dick Dowling Junior High School in Beaumont, Emily moved with her family to Waco, where she graduated from Waco High School. She later graduated from San Angelo Junior College, where the family also moved. It was in San Angelo that she met and married John O'Banion (deceased). She and John had two children, Brad O'Banion (deceased) and Susan Hall. For several years, she and John lived in Huntsville, where John taught high school and Em worked with the office of the Sam Houston College ROTC. After they moved to the Houston area, Emily worked with TRW Space Systems during the early NASA years and got to visit in Mission Control during one of the Moon landing missions. She later worked with the Ethyl Corporation. After she and John divorced in the early 1970's, she continued to work with Ethyl when she met her spiritual soulmate Otho Sumner. They were married for over 35 years at the time of Otho's death in 2011.
Emily will be remembered for her sense of humor and her love for being around people and talking. She especially loved drinking coffee and eating chocolate candy and desserts.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Oscar and Annie Heye; husband of over 35 years, Otho W. Sumner; son, Brad O'Banion; and sister, Margaret Noonan.
She is survived by her daughters, Susan Hall and husband Jason of Fulshear and Gail McCullough of Austin; daughter-in-law, Rosie O'Banion of Woodville; sister, Mary K. Heye Cloud of Houston; nieces, Kathy Weiboldt of Pasadena and Nancy Stem of Albuquerque, NM; granddaughters, Erin DuCharme and husband Colin, Lauren Hall, Heather Scammon and husband Rick and Nicole Chastain; grandsons, Kelly O'Banion and Trent Chastain and wife Lona; great grandchildren, Christopher O'Banion, Jonathan O'Banion, Micah Scammon, Madison Scammon, Dylan Chastain and Jordan Chastain; great-great grandchild, Oakley O'Banion; longtime friend and companion, Robert Emrich of Town Bluff; and a host of other family and friends.
Memorials may be made to First Fulshear Methodist Church Children's Ministry, P.O. Box 100, Fulshear, Texas 77441.
Services are under the direction of Stringer & Griffin Funeral Home in Woodville, Texas
Emily Ann Sumner
April 6, 1934 - July 30, 2023
Emily Sumner, former long-time resident of Woodville, passed away in Katy, Texas, on July 30, 2023, at the age of 89. Local friends will remember Emily and her husband Otho (deceased) as owners of The Homestead Restaurant in Hillister for over 25 years, where they developed many close friendships with customers who visited the restaurant from all over the world. At one time, The Homestead, famous for its chicken fried steaks and pies that Emily made, was written up in Texas Monthly magazine. As restaurant owner, Emily also served a term as president of the Woodville Chamber of Commerce.
For most of their life as owners of The Homestead, Emily and Otho lived on their farm outside Hillister. There they entertained many of their friends that they had met at The Homestead. After they sold their country house, they bought a house in town on Eagle Drive, which they enjoyed for many years, as they continued to operate The Homestead. After Otho died, Emily lived on Eagle Drive up until she sold her home and went to live with her daughter Susan Hall and husband Jason in Weston Lakes. Prior to her move, she was an active member of St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Woodville, where she volunteered at many activities. She also was a volunteer at a community organization known as River of Life to help marginalized young women. She also made a mission trip to Haiti with her friends from First Methodist Church.
Prior to their opening The Homestead as a retirement adventure, Emily and Otho lived in Pasadena, Texas, where they owned and operated Sumner Sales.
Emily was born April 6, 1934, in Wharton, Texas, to Oscar William (O.W.) and Annie Laura Heye. As her dad was an engineer for Texaco, the family was relocated many times to different cities in Texas. Emily's fondest memories were of growing up in the Houston Heights, where she loved to ride her bicycle and go to see movies in downtown Houston with her mother and older sister. It was when the family was living in the Heights that her younger sister Mary Kay was born when Em was 11 years old. Despite the age difference, they remained close sisters. Emily was able to spend one of the last weeks of her life with her sister when they spent time driving around the childhood home and streets in the Heights.
After attending Dick Dowling Junior High School in Beaumont, Emily moved with her family to Waco, where she graduated from Waco High School. She later graduated from San Angelo Junior College, where the family also moved. It was in San Angelo that she met and married John O'Banion (deceased). She and John had two children, Brad O'Banion (deceased) and Susan Hall. For several years, she and John lived in Huntsville, where John taught high school and Em worked with the office of the Sam Houston College ROTC. After they moved to the Houston area, Emily worked with TRW Space Systems during the early NASA years and got to visit in Mission Control during one of the Moon landing missions. She later worked with the Ethyl Corporation. After she and John divorced in the early 1970's, she continued to work with Ethyl when she met her spiritual soulmate Otho Sumner. They were married for over 35 years at the time of Otho's death in 2011.
Emily will be remembered for her sense of humor and her love for being around people and talking. She especially loved drinking coffee and eating chocolate candy and desserts.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Oscar and Annie Heye; husband of over 35 years, Otho W. Sumner; son, Brad O'Banion; and sister, Margaret Noonan.
She is survived by her daughters, Susan Hall and husband Jason of Fulshear and Gail McCullough of Austin; daughter-in-law, Rosie O'Banion of Woodville; sister, Mary K. Heye Cloud of Houston; nieces, Kathy Weiboldt of Pasadena and Nancy Stem of Albuquerque, NM; granddaughters, Erin DuCharme and husband Colin, Lauren Hall, Heather Scammon and husband Rick and Nicole Chastain; grandsons, Kelly O'Banion and Trent Chastain and wife Lona; great grandchildren, Christopher O'Banion, Jonathan O'Banion, Micah Scammon, Madison Scammon, Dylan Chastain and Jordan Chastain; great-great grandchild, Oakley O'Banion; longtime friend and companion, Robert Emrich of Town Bluff; and a host of other family and friends.
Memorials may be made to First Fulshear Methodist Church Children's Ministry, P.O. Box 100, Fulshear, Texas 77441.
Services are under the direction of Stringer & Griffin Funeral Home in Woodville, Texas
April 6, 1934 - July 30, 2023
Emily Sumner, former long-time resident of Woodville, passed away in Katy, Texas, on July 30, 2023, at the age of 89. Local friends will remember Emily and her husband Otho (deceased) as owners of The Homestead Restaurant in Hillister for over 25 years, where they developed many close friendships with customers who visited the restaurant from all over the world. At one time, The Homestead, famous for its chicken fried steaks and pies that Emily made, was written up in Texas Monthly magazine. As restaurant owner, Emily also served a term as president of the Woodville Chamber of Commerce.
For most of their life as owners of The Homestead, Emily and Otho lived on their farm outside Hillister. There they entertained many of their friends that they had met at The Homestead. After they sold their country house, they bought a house in town on Eagle Drive, which they enjoyed for many years, as they continued to operate The Homestead. After Otho died, Emily lived on Eagle Drive up until she sold her home and went to live with her daughter Susan Hall and husband Jason in Weston Lakes. Prior to her move, she was an active member of St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Woodville, where she volunteered at many activities. She also was a volunteer at a community organization known as River of Life to help marginalized young women. She also made a mission trip to Haiti with her friends from First Methodist Church.
Prior to their opening The Homestead as a retirement adventure, Emily and Otho lived in Pasadena, Texas, where they owned and operated Sumner Sales.
Emily was born April 6, 1934, in Wharton, Texas, to Oscar William (O.W.) and Annie Laura Heye. As her dad was an engineer for Texaco, the family was relocated many times to different cities in Texas. Emily's fondest memories were of growing up in the Houston Heights, where she loved to ride her bicycle and go to see movies in downtown Houston with her mother and older sister. It was when the family was living in the Heights that her younger sister Mary Kay was born when Em was 11 years old. Despite the age difference, they remained close sisters. Emily was able to spend one of the last weeks of her life with her sister when they spent time driving around the childhood home and streets in the Heights.
After attending Dick Dowling Junior High School in Beaumont, Emily moved with her family to Waco, where she graduated from Waco High School. She later graduated from San Angelo Junior College, where the family also moved. It was in San Angelo that she met and married John O'Banion (deceased). She and John had two children, Brad O'Banion (deceased) and Susan Hall. For several years, she and John lived in Huntsville, where John taught high school and Em worked with the office of the Sam Houston College ROTC. After they moved to the Houston area, Emily worked with TRW Space Systems during the early NASA years and got to visit in Mission Control during one of the Moon landing missions. She later worked with the Ethyl Corporation. After she and John divorced in the early 1970's, she continued to work with Ethyl when she met her spiritual soulmate Otho Sumner. They were married for over 35 years at the time of Otho's death in 2011.
Emily will be remembered for her sense of humor and her love for being around people and talking. She especially loved drinking coffee and eating chocolate candy and desserts.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Oscar and Annie Heye; husband of over 35 years, Otho W. Sumner; son, Brad O'Banion; and sister, Margaret Noonan.
She is survived by her daughters, Susan Hall and husband Jason of Fulshear and Gail McCullough of Austin; daughter-in-law, Rosie O'Banion of Woodville; sister, Mary K. Heye Cloud of Houston; nieces, Kathy Weiboldt of Pasadena and Nancy Stem of Albuquerque, NM; granddaughters, Erin DuCharme and husband Colin, Lauren Hall, Heather Scammon and husband Rick and Nicole Chastain; grandsons, Kelly O'Banion and Trent Chastain and wife Lona; great grandchildren, Christopher O'Banion, Jonathan O'Banion, Micah Scammon, Madison Scammon, Dylan Chastain and Jordan Chastain; great-great grandchild, Oakley O'Banion; longtime friend and companion, Robert Emrich of Town Bluff; and a host of other family and friends.
Memorials may be made to First Fulshear Methodist Church Children's Ministry, P.O. Box 100, Fulshear, Texas 77441.
Services are under the direction of Stringer & Griffin Funeral Home in Woodville, Texas
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