Annella L. Mclemore

Sunshine, Annella Lutie McLemore passed away at home at 5:00 AM on Friday, February 21, 2014. She is survived by her two sons, Thomas and Robert McLemore, Robert's wife, Marlene McLemore, two grandsons, Christopher and Spencer McLemore, their wives Julie and Teresa McLemore, and three grandchildren, Carla, Tyler and Jamisen.
Sunshine was born in Los Angeles on January 25, 1921. In 1933, she moved to the San Fernando Valley with her father, mother, and brother. She attended North Hollywood High School (1937 thru 1939) where she met her future husband Carl T. McLemore Jr., who was a good friend of her brother. After she graduated from high school, she was accepted to UCLA. But she was unable to attend UCLA because her father would not allow her to traveling by public transport.
Sunshine married Carl T. McLemore Jr. on August 4, 1940 at the Little Brown Church, in Studio City, California. She was married to Carl for 63 years until his death on July 25, 2003. Their first residence was in Burbank, California. Robert their first son was born in April, 1943 and they moved in with Sunshine's parents in Studio City, California. Soon after, Carl was drafted to serve in the Army in August of 1943. He served in Belgium and Germany until the end of the war.
After Carl returned from the War, they had their second son, Thomas (April 1947). The following year Carl and Sunshine started building their house on what was an apricot orchard next to her parents house in Studio City, California. This house is where she cared for her family and lived the rest of her life.
Annella was a kind person that everyone loved and a mother that everyone wished they had. Family was very important to her. She made every effort to encourage and support their interests. Thomas' love for music, started to blossom, in the mid 1950's sunshine purchased a upright piano. As his abilities grew the upright piano was replaced a baby grand piano. Her other son Robert wanted to work at the early age of 13, which she allowed. He also wanted to play high school football which she reluctantly allowed. When it was time for the boys to attend a 4 year college she went to school to become a beautician and supported their college years with her salary for Robert and her tips for Thomas.
After the college years, Robert married and moved out. Thomas remained at home. Thomas' musical interest switched from playing the piano to build stringed instruments.
In 1975 Carl had debilitating stroke which paralyzed the right side of his body. Thomas remain at home to help Sunshine with Carl.
Sunshine loved to have yard parties where the extend family would attend. She held these parties for birthdays, holidays, and other special occasions. At Robert's wedding reception, they were over 50 people in attendance. She would make all of the table center pieces and party decorations along with all of the food.
As the extended family decreased in size due to natural causes, the frequency of the family parties diminished. But her creative skills stilled needed to be addressed. She was gifted and admired for her sewing ability that she used to make stuffed animals that were dressed with clothes and hats. These sold quickly at boutiques during the holiday season.
In 1988, she joined the Toluca Lake Parlor of the Native Daughters of the Golden West. There she found an activity that would keep her occupied until she could no longer serve. She held positions as Secretary, Treasure, Finical Secretary, President, and District Deputy Grand President. Her Parlor would met once a month at Campo de Cahuenga, the site where the Treaty was signed that gave California to the United States in 1847.
Sunshine was always taking care of people. She made their lives better and happier. She took care of Carl, her mother, her brother, and her mother-in-law at her home as long as she could. When Sunshine became ill with dementia she also was taken care of at her home until her last day.

May her soul rest in peace since she did so much for others while here on earth.