Viola Mae (Cooper) Wilson departed this life on Jan. 19, 2017, at Houston House in Houston, Mo., where she had been a resident for the past six years. She was 97 years, 10 months and 14 days young.
Viola was the only girl of eight children born to James Early and Ollie Jane (Hildebrand) Cooper on March 5, 1919, in Evening Shade, Mo.
On Nov. 20, 1938, Viola married Rev. Rado Bill Wilson and to this union five children were born.
Surviving is her brother, Roger Cooper and wife, Lois, of Atlanta, Ill.; her children, Darlena Young and husband, Don, of Licking, Mo., Rayburn “Pete” Wilson and wife, Pat, of Raymondville, Mo., Billie Kelley of Mansfield, Mo., Theresa Barton of Raymondville, Mo., and Jan VanNess and husband, Larry, of Springfield, Mo.; 11 grandchildren; 30 great-grandchildren; 19 great-great grandchildren; two wonderful neighbors, Dinsel and Elsie McColgin; and a host of relatives and friends.
In addition to her parents, Viola was preceded in death by brothers, Etley, Ray, Roy, Rance, Ralph and Robert; sons-in-law, Donald Floyd, Jerry Campbell and Carl Kelley; grandsons, Richie Barton, Kirk Campbell, Kevin Floyd and Lance Wilson; granddaughter, Debbie Floyd; and great-grandson, Brandon Wilson.
Viola loved making quilts with her friends at quilt club, reading the Bible front to back too many times to count and watching her family grow.
Services are 10 a.m. Monday, Jan. 23, 2017, at Community Crossroads Church with Pastor David Jett and Pastor Dorvan Stringer officiating. Burial will be in Boone Creek Cemetery under the direction of Evans Funeral Home. Pallbearers were Jeff Floyd, Brent Campbell, Jake Floyd, Braden Arnall, Lynn Wilson, Larry VanNess, Ryan Wilson and Larry Wildhaber II. Honorary pallbearers were: William Wilson, Gerald Johnston and Josh VanNess.
Memorials may be made to Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, P.O. Box 8812, Springfield, Mo., 65801. To send an online condolence, please go to www.evansfh.com.
PAID
