Lou McPherson

Emma Lou McPherson, 92, passed away Sunday, Nov. 10, 2019.

Visitation will be held 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 13, at Riley Funeral Home.

Services will be at 10 a.m. Thursday at Riley Funeral Home Chapel with burial to follow in Pottsville Public Cemetery.

Lou was born July 9, 1928, to Winsor Barton McPherson and Emma Clabaugh McPherson. She grew up at Pottsville, attended school at Pottsville and graduated from Pottsville High School as valedictorian of her class. She became known as Lefty Lou because was left-handed and enjoyed playing all sports, especially basketball and tennis.

Lou started working at Hamilton National Bank in 1952. She saw a lot of changes in the banking industry including the tearing down of the Hamilton National Bank to build a new building on the same location at 101 E Henry St in Hamilton. The bank building was torn down in 1974, and the new bank building was constructed with open house in the new building on Nov. 9, 1975.

Lou continued to work at the bank for 40 years, retiring in April 1992 as Senior Vice President Loan Officer.

After Lou retired, she did a lot of traveling. She traveled to 49 of the 50 states. She also took two cruises to Alaska and went to Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and New Brunswick. These trips were taken with her dear friend, Ruby Jones.

Lou was a member of the Church of Christ.

She was preceded in death by her parents; brothers Forrest McPherson and wife Frances and W.B. McPherson Jr. and wife Jackie; sister Hallie Harrison and husband Buddy; and nephew David McPherson.

She is survived by several nieces, nephews and cousins.