Gwendoline Lenoir Robinson Suthers was born June 9, 1913 on her grandfather, Chauncey Shaffer's farm outside of Gage, Oklahoma, the daughter of James E. and Arva Shaffer Robinson. She died at home in Arnett, Oklahoma on Friday, February 12, 2010 at the age of 96.

The family moved to Arnett, so that Gwen could attend the Arnett Public Schools. She furthered her education as a student at Oklahoma A&M College. She married her high school sweetheart, William Heward Suthers, and they farmed west of Arnett for all of their lives together. She planted and tended bountiful flower and vegetable gardens her whole life.

For most of her 96 years, Gwen drew, painted, and promoted art in western Oklahoma and the Texas Panhandle. In 1952, Gwen and several other beginning artists, studying under Dord Fitz, began renovating the abandoned Beum country schoolhouse (Little Red School House) and the Western Art Center was born. She taught painting and sculpture there for many years to all comers from around the area. The center hosted many renowned artists in regular workshops. She explained her passion, "Painting is an understanding of the order and beauty of the universe and it is a way of recording historical events and every day life." For many years, Mrs. Suthers was a charter member of the Amarillo Area Arts Foundation, and served as the Secretary, making it possible for students to take classes with famous artists, and travel across the country to study great art collections. She studied under renowned artists Elaine DeKooning, Louise Nevelson, Charlie Bunnell, and local artists Stefan Kramer, Jack Sorenson, Mack Stewart, Len Slesick, Gene Hartsell and many others. Her talent has been showcased in numerous exhibits including the Blue Room of the Oklahoma State Capitol, Oklahoma City; Burr Gallery, New York City; Taos Gallery, New Mexico; Fitz Gallery, Amarillo; The Stage Gallery, Oklahoma City; Western Art Center, Arnett; Plains Indians and Pioneers Museum, Woodward; as well as exhibits in Perryton, Canadian, and Lipscomb, Texas; Seiling, Enid, Cheyenne, Mangum and Stillwater, Oklahoma.

She received the Plains Indians and Pioneers Museum Heritage Award in 1999. Governor Frank Keating presented her with a Community Service Award at the 2001 Governor's Arts Awards where she first exhibited in the Oklahoma State Capitol. She was named Artist of the Year for the Sage Brush Painters in Canadian, Texas in 2003. She served on the Board of Directors for the Plains Indians and Pioneers Museum in Woodward. Gwen was featured on the television program "Oklahoma is a Great State or What?"

She was the appointed Ellis County Election Board Secretary, and served for 25 years, following in the footsteps of her husband, and father-in-law. She was a proud life long Democrat.

She was a member of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution, Woodward Chapter; and member of the Order of the Eastern Star, Queen Esther Chapter. She was a devout Christian, and member of the First Christian Church of Arnett.

She was preceded in death by her husband, William Heward Suthers; her parents; her granddaughter Mykel Ann Suthers; and her daughter-in-law, Marie Dowler Suthers. She is survived by her sister Mary Louise (Peggy) Elliott, and her 5 children, 11 grandchildren, 12 step-grandchildren, 11 great grandchildren, 18 step-great grandchildren; 5 step-great-great-grandchildren; and all their spouses. They are as follows: James and Phyllis Suthers, and their children, Kent and Jana Suthers, and newborn daughter; Terry and Amy Suthers Reece and their 3 children; John and Al'Louise Suthers Ramp, and children, Bob and Susan Ramp Wonacott, and Britt and Beth Ramp Sturgeon; Neal Suthers, M.D. and children Drs. Todd and Sara Suthers Regier, and their 3 children, and John and Lakrissa Suthers and 2 children; Grady and Sanzee Pittman Suthers, and children and step-children, Chance and Becky Suthers, and their 2 children, Blake and Shane Suthers and their 2 children; Jimmy and Brenda Pierce and 3 children, Troy Pierce and his 5 children and 2 grandchildren, Freddie and Carla Suthers King and their 2 children and 2 grandchildren, Casey and Leah Suthers Meason and her 2 children and 1 grandchild, Eric and Lynn Pittman and their 3 children, Jesse and Zaneta Pittman Clevenger and their 2 children, Jarrod Pittman and his child, and John and Damara Pittman Giusti; and finally, Roger and Lelia Sue Allen, and children Alicia Gwen Allen, Matthew Suthers Allen, and Lacy Hope Allen.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Western Art Center, in care of Sandra Elliott, Rt. 1, Box 69, Shattuck, OK 73858 or to the First Christian Church Building Fund, Arnett, OK 73832.