Mary Vivian Shannon, daughter of Henry Allen and Clara Belle Millsap Upshaw, was born Jan. 28, 1913, near Denlow, Mo. She departed this life Saturday, Dec. 1, 2012, at her home in Mountain Grove, Mo., at the age of 99 years, 10 months and three days.
On Sept. 29, 1928, in Salem, Ark., she was united in marriage to Harley Wayne Shannon, and to this union one daughter and one son were born.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Harley “Doc” on March 30, 1998; a daughter, Barbara Kay Stapp; a son, Harley Van Shannon; four brothers, Vie Chester, Ivy Allen, Morton Henry and Norman John Essel Upshaw; and five sisters, Lola Alice Proctor, Loda Black, Ola Loyce Bowman, Bertie Jane Cooper, and Elaine Margaret Jones.
Vivian, affectionately known by her family as “Pug,” is survived by a daughter-in-law, Norma Shirley Shannon of Mountain Grove, Mo.; seven grandchildren, Doug Shannon, and his wife, Robin, Joe Shannon and his wife, Debbie, Danny Shannon and his wife, Deanna, Jenny Beckholt and her husband, Jeff, Kim Nichols and her husband, Donnie, Susie Riley and her husband, Andrew, and Bryn Livingston and her husband, Mark; 21 great-grandchildren; 12 great-great grandchildren; a number of nieces and nephews; as well as a host of other relatives and many friends.
She was born and raised in Douglas County, Mo. After she and Harley “Doc” were married, they made their home in Drury, Mo., where Vivian worked as the Postmistress of the Drury Post Office for 25 years. In addition to being a devoted homemaker to her husband and family, Vivian also worked as a cook at the Ava Sale Barn for several years. In 1970, she and Doc moved to Mountain Grove, Mo., and made their home.
Vivian was a longtime member of the Church of Christ and had attended the Southside Church of Christ in Mountain Grove.
She belonged to the Chitter Chatters and the Drury Club. In her spare time she enjoyed planting and tending a large garden each year, and sharing her produce and flowers with her family and friends. She also liked crocheting, and sharing stories from her past. She was an excellent cook and was particularly known for her homemade bread. Her family was very important to her and she especially enjoyed all of her grandchildren.
Vivian was a loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, great-great grandmother and aunt, and was a caring neighbor and friend. We celebrate her long life and her accomplishments, and know that her family and friends will cherish the wonderful memories she made for them during her lifetime.
Services are 10 a.m. Friday, Dec. 7, 2012, at the Mountain Grove Christian Church with Ronny Wade officiating and under direction of Holman-Howe Funeral Home of Lebanon, Mo. Visitation is 9 a.m. until service time Friday at the church.Burial will be in the Hillcrest Cemetery.
Memorial donations to the Denlow Cemetery or Hospice Compassus may be made through Holman-Howe Funeral Home, P.O. Box 28, Lebanon, Mo., 65536.