On The Move

Evelyn “Sunny” Stater, widow of Stater Bros. founder Lavoy Stater, will celebrate her 100th birthday this month.

Evelyn and her family plan to mark that milestone with a private party, according to a statement released by the supermarket chain.

In 1935, Evelyn was working for the W.A. Davis grocery store in Yucaipa. One year later, when her future husband and future brother-in-law bought that store, Evelyn became the first Stater Bros. employee.

Her duties included weighing eggs, keeping the store clean, working the checkout line and keeping tabs on the credit extended to customers, according to the statement.

Evelyn and Lavoy were married in 1943. She worked for Stater Bros. until 1948, when their first child was born.

“Evelyn has made countless contributions to Stater Bros. Markets,” said Jack H. Brown, the San Bernardino-based company’s executive chairman, in the statement.

“Without Evelyn’s support in the early days, Stater Bros. future might not have been as bright and as blessed [as it was]. Women have played a big role in the Stater Bros. success story, but none has played a bigger role than Evelyn Stater and the Stater wives.”