Vivian Whitley Viverette
December 19, 1921 ~ June 25, 2015
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Vivian Whitley Viverette, 93, of Rocky Mount went home to be with the Lord on June 25, 2015. She was the daughter of the late Ethel Joyner Whitley and Paul David Whitley of Rocky Mount. A lifelong native of Rocky Mount, Vivian graduated from Benvenue High School, where she excelled academically, played basketball and met her future husband. She married Joseph Viverette, Jr. in 1941. Vivian was well read and could converse with anyone on any subject. She made many friends in Charlotte when visiting with family. Her door was always open and friends and family often stopped by for a visit.
She is survived by her beloved family: son, Ronald Viverette of Bahama and her daughter, Jo Anne Johnson of Charlotte, one sister Mary Daughtridge of Rocky Mount, grandchildren Will Viverette (Debbie) of Wilson, Cindy Viverette of Rocky Mount, Sherri Debolt (Ricky) of Creedmoor and Rebecca Mullinax (Kent) of Charlotte, great grandchildren: Anna Kathryn and Elizabeth of Rocky Mount, Makayla of Creedmoor, Kristian of Rocky Mount, and Ethan of Charlotte. She left behind many beloved nieces, nephews and cousins. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by two brothers, Paul David Whitley and Charles Henry Whitley.
A visitation and graveside service to celebrate the life of Vivian Viverette will be held at Wheeler and Woodlief Funeral Home, 1130 N Winstead Ave, Rocky Mount, NC 27804 on Monday, June 29th with visitation from 10:00 am to 11:00 a.m. and a graveside service to follow at 11:30 a.m. at Pineview Cemetery, 761 N. Raleigh Street, Rocky Mount, NC 27801.
Vivian was always smiling and loved life. She believed in good old fashioned hard work, and was never afraid to get her hands dirty working on the family farm. Her best advice to her children and grandchildren was to, “complain all you want, but keep working.” She used those same hands to lovingly cross-stitch beautiful pictures and Christmas stockings for her family. She also believed in helping others, and spent many hours helping her children and grandchildren with their homework. Naturally inquisitive, Vivian loved to read. If she had a question about any subject, she made sure to research the subject from top to bottom and loved sharing her findings with her family. She also had a love of history and had a large library at her home. Additionally, she loved traveling internationally and locally to experience different cultures.
After her children went to college, she trained as a laboratory technician and spent years in charge of the blood banks at Park View and Nash General Hospitals, where she earned many accolades and awards for her dedicated service.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorials be sent to the charity of the donors choice, or to Hospice Palliative Care of Cabarrus County (5003 Hospice Lane, Kannapolis, NC 28081).
Arrangements are entrusted to Wheeler Woodlief Funeral Home Cremation Services, 1130 N. Winstead Avenue, Rocky Mount, NC 27804.
You may share your memories and condolences with the family by visiting www.wheelerwoodlief.com.
Visitation
Wheeler & Woodlief Funeral Home & Cremation Services
1130 N. Winstead Ave.
Rocky Mount, NC 27804
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Monday 6/29, 10:00 am
Service
Pineview Cemetery
761 N. Raleigh Road
Rocky Mount, NC 27801
Monday 6/29, 11:30 am
Cemetery
Pineview Cemetery
761 N. Raleigh Road
Rocky Mount, NC 27801
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My greatest memory of the time spent with grandmother were the countless hours alone with her working in the fields. We had so many great talks during those times. One day, I had my fill of the blazing hot sun and 98+ degree heat and started complaining. My grandmother said, Dear girl, you can complain all you want, but just keep moving. I have never forgotten the message she shared with me that day. Little did I know I would lean on her wisdom for years to come during the difficult times in life. I used that same advice on a high-ranking executive in corporate America one day several years ago. To this day, he says it was the most profound message he had ever received. I told him that he could thank my precious grandmother for that one. I will forever hold so many wonderful memories of my grandmother in my heart for all my days on earth. I am forever blessed to be her granddaughter, and I look forward to the day when I can wrap my arms around her again.
Becca’s grandmother ate many Christmas dinners with us, and I remember her loving to tell stories about the past. As she talked, people gathered around her, because she had an unbelievable knowledge about people and events. John and I commented that you would almost believe she was personal friends of Winston Churchill and other world figures from long ago! In Becca’s comments she talked about how Vivian didn’t want to hear your complaints. Last Christmas I was complaining about my aches and pains, and I turned to Vivian and said, I’m sure you don’t like all the aches and pains that come with getting old either, do you She immediately quipped, Huh! I don’t even think about it; I just wake up every morning thankful that God has given me another day. She really taught me a lesson that I am still trying to live by. Every time I want to complain I can hear what she said to me. In thinking about what she stood for, I was constantly made aware of how she was all about family. Her family was very close, and she was proud of all of them and loved to spend time with them. As John says, she was a lady and she influenced many people in her own quiet way; so a part of us is missing now that she is gone, but, at the same time, we are so glad she was sent our way. Barbara Mullinax
May God continue to hold you close & bring his peace into your heart & mind. May God give you strength to endure in this grievous time. Matt. 54 The Bible tells us there is a time coming when there will be no more death, no more pain, & no more sickness. Rev. 213, 4.