Aline Laverne Sessions

Aline Laverne Sessions, age 101 and 7 months, went to her eternal home on April 10th, 2019. Her passing was peaceful and in her home as she had always wished.

She was married to her late husband Kenneth Eugene Sessions for more than 35 years. She is survived by four children: Tommy and his wife Janet Sessions, Jerry Baird, Judy Belshe-Toernblom and her husband Birger Toernblom, and Terrie Moorlag.

Grandchildren: Michael Sessions, Jeffery Sessions, Kenny and his wife Linda Sessions, Rebekah Baird Pierce and her husband Eric Pierce, Rachel and her husband Eric Johnson, Adam Belshe, Yvette Belshe-Chasse, Erick and his wife Gloria Belshe, Jeremy and his wife Kelly Belshe, Bret and Kristin Beitz, Katy Mahoney, Stephen and his wife Lucy Toernblom,

She also had several great-grandchildren:

Amber Sessions-Granlund, Brandon Sessions, Cutter and Alice Belshe, Baird Pierce, Sarah and Josh Rosen, Janda Marie Chasse, Nova Belshe, Carter and Isaac Johnson, Carson and Dylan Beitz, Zoe and Hudson Toernblom, Rosemary Arneson, Great-Great Grandchildren: Reagan Granlund, Lion, Matteo, Khalily and Aiyana.

In their early years in California, Aline and her husband Kenneth opened Sessions Market in Compton, California. She later went on to be a checker for the grocery store chain of Raisins.

In the following years they built a business close to her husband’s heart called, “Ken Enterprise.” This developed into the largest marine hardware on the west coast in Wilmington, California at the time. After her husband’s death she ran “Ken Enterprise” with her son Tommy Sessions.

Aline was a member of Cottonwood Church in Los Alamitos, California. For years she was one of the alter workers there leading people to the Lord. She even had her own parking space. She was very proud of that.

She had a love of books from a very early age. She loved to see all her books lined up on her bookcase. Many she read over and over.

She loved See’s candy and her former son-in-law Don Beitz made sure she had an endless supply.

Aline’s main interest in her life was her family. She devoted her life to them. She was a very kind and gentle soul; she had a loving and generous heart, and was always giving to others.

Her daughter Terrie Moorlag, and former daughter-in-law Patsy Metcalfe and husband Tom Metcalfe cared tirelessly to her needs during her last two years. They fulfilled her wish to remain in her home, until she changed her address to heaven.

She has now passed from our present to our future, and is waiting for us all.

From our Mother’s Bible:

Come, listen to me, my children. I will teach you true religion.

Tis your desire to live, to live long and be happy?

Then keep your tongue from evil, keep your lips from deceit, shun evil and do good. Seek to be friendly – aim at that. Seek peace, and pursue it.   Psalm 34: 11-14

One of her favorite says was from Martin Luther: “You cannot keep birds from flying over your head but you can keep them from building a nest in your hair.”

If she were here, with what she has now seen, I’m sure she would say: “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.” Hebrews 12:1

Our great commission as a family now is to pick up the mantle of prayer she spread over all of us for her 101.7 years, put it on our shoulders, hold up our own families and each other up in prayer, and run the race that she has completed.

Words of praise from Family and Friends:

Jerry Baird: "She tried to help everyone and she will be sorely missed."

Judy Belshe-Toernblom: “Mom, thank you for your example of faith in Christ and raising me up in the Lord. Knowing Him has comforted me and carried me throughout my life. Your love of reading inspired my love of writing. Your example of faith has extended that faith through me and on to my children.”

Birger Toernblom: “My best times with Aline were our one-on-one talks. She would rock in the rocking chair I gave her, and talk about George Beverly Shea and his song, Great Thou Art. Her favorite topic of course was her grandchildren. She was a good sport. A few times I drove her to the hairdresser in my El Camino. On the hottest day, because of her fresh hairdo, she wanted the windows up! The love of her family and her strong faith will be forever be etched in my memory. God Bless you, Aline.”

Terrie Moorlag: “Thank you for being the best mom in the world and loving me unconditionally. You were my best friend and confidant. You taught me how to trust in the Lord, and that helped me get through every trial in life. It was the most important gift you left me. Mom I can’t imagine my life without you. It was an honor to take care of you. I will miss you so much. I love you with all my heart.”

Rebekah Baird Pierce : “You believed in me and showed me how to believe in myself, but more importantly how to believe in God and His love for me. You have been a reflection of his unconditional love for me. That reflection shined so brightly into my soul that even in your absence it continues to bless me each and every day. I deeply miss your presence but continue to see the bright light that shined through you.”

Rachel Johnson: “Grandma you were the person who set the prayer chains going when someone was in need. All we had to say was - pray for me - and you got every prayer chain known going for us, including your own private time. Thank you for singing songs with my dad the night before he died.”

Adam Belshe: “Grandma, I owe you the credit for my career path to becoming a boat captain. I miss our late-night TV MASH marathons, our drives across the country while learning all the baseball teams. Thank you for your patience, understanding and all the lessons you’ve taught me that I will carry with me and will pass down. I love you and miss you.”

Yvette Belshe-Chasse: “Thank you for showing me Jesus, always welcoming anyone, and showing me the truth of surrender.”

Erick Belshe: “All my childhood and adulthood memories wrapped up in one word GRANDMA. I cherish every thought and the millions of memories you blessed me with.”

Jeremy Belshe: “I can’t thank you enough for all the peace you have given me in this life. See you on the other side, grandma.”

Bret Beitz: “My Grandma, the most caring and loving person I’ve ever known. I will always cherish our memories together. I will miss you, Grandma.”

Kenny Sessions: “She lived her life to be with God, not only has she done that, but she patiently waited 101 years to do it. No one could ever have an unkind word to say about her. I miss you, Grandma.”

Amber Sessions-Granlund: “You may be gone from my sight, but you will never be gone from my heart. Your memory and instilment of love and family values will guide me as a mother/wife/friend and career woman. Rest peacefully, Grandma. Love you.”

Janda Marie Chasse: “I will always miss holding your hands and feeling your soft arms. Thank you for living out your faith in God and praying for all of us – your strength and legacy will be carried on by all of your loved ones .”

Sarah Rosen: “My great-grandmother was an amazing woman. I wouldn’t be the person I am today without her. She taught me the love of books and how to be myself, and that there is nothing wrong with that. She always loved me, and I am honored to be her great-granddaughter. I love you, grandma.”

Stephen Toernblom: “ I remember she had the ability to tell great stories and draw people into the moment. They could be about her childhood and or her family. Everyone would listen. Even thought I was her step-grandson she always treated me like family, and my children like her own.”

Dreama Brown: “ Thank you for loving me and treating me and my family like your own. I’m forever grateful for all the times you’ve lifted us up in prayer. I will love you forever.”

Don Beitz: “She was the most selfless person I ever met. She was always loving, caring and always helped everyone. Thank you for treating me like your son. I will miss you.”

Patsy Metcalfe: “Bless you grandma for all your endless prayers for a lifetime for all of us. I got to spend a lot of time with you, and I am so grateful.”

Tom Metcalfe : “I loved her as my own grandmother. We had great conversation over her lifetime.”

Sandy Gjonovich: “ I was blessed to have had the privilege of knowing Grandma Sessions. I called her grandma, as most people did. She was a wonderfully strong and feisty lady. Grandma had a beautiful, infectious smile that I will miss. Heaven has gained an angel.”

Pat Miller: “I loved her laugh and I loved her devotion to her kids.”

Katy Mahoney: “Grandma keep watch over us. You were always a safe harbor in so many of our personal storms. What I wouldn’t give to hold your hand and hear you pray over me one last time. It’s selfish I know. Fly high.”

Pat and Leroy Van Winkle: “Aline was a lovely and caring lady, she will be missed. Hope she and my Mom will party in heaven!”

Rana Manzi: “ I was pretty young when I lost my grandmother. Aline happily stepped in as a grandma for me. Grandma was a brilliant woman, always fascinated with learning. A woman of deep faith, may she now be at the side of her Creator getting the best education ever, and I hope she tells my Gram hello as well.”

Russ and Anita Langley: “I Corinthians 13:1-7   The Excellence of Love. This is what Aline was. She didn’t talk about it, she practiced it. She was hospitable, loving, caring, positive, never remembered a wrong. Patient, kind, not jealous. Never brags, not arrogant, didn’t act unbecomingly, doesn’t rejoice in unrighteousness but rejoices with the truth. Bears all things, believes all things, hoped all things, and endures all things. Love never fails! Thanks for the love, Aline. We’ll never forget the lesson!”

Graveside services will be held 10:30 April 23rd Green Hills Mortuary 27501 S Western Ave. Rancho Palos Verde 90275.

Friends and relatives are invited.
Luyben Dilday Mortuary (562) 425-6401