Viola W. Puryear Walters, age 89, surrounded by family, peacefully stepped into eternity joining her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ on April 23, 2023 @ 1:50am.
Viola was born June 14, 1933 in Pendleton, Oregon, spending her last months in Spencer, Ohio. She grew up and lived near Victorville, California until she wed. She was a mother of four children and a supportive help mate, resulting in moving often to live in Washington, West Virginia, Florida, Montana, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, Guam, and Maryland. During this time, she worked as a waitress and institutional cook serving thousands of school children and military soldiers.
Viola was given a “Letter of Commendation” by President Ford for her part in serving and caring for Vietnamese refugee families and orphans in 1975 during Operation Baby Lift, after the fall of Saigon. Having settled in Florida, she owned and operated Viola’s Kitchen for several years and then worked and retired as a cook for the Lake County Jail. During this time, in her 60’s, she completed high school with a General Education Diploma.
Viola enjoyed trail riding and arena competitions, sewing, cake decorating, dancing and playing card games. She was naturally creative and artistic, loving pretty little things to brighten up life.
She is mostly remembered as a loving and enthusiastic “Granny” to her 13 grandchildren and 25 great grandchildren. After being widowed, Viola traveled, living with family in California, Oregon, Idaho and Ohio. She lived and loved her life with laughter, hard work and dedication. Just 7 weeks short of her 90th birthday, having fought a good fight, with much dignity and humbleness, Viola welcomed going home to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus.
Viola has joined her late husband James Clayton Walters, her mother and father Myrtle P. Reiber Tucker and Louis V. Puryear, oldest son Robert R. Sims, sister Janie Lee, and brother Victor Puryear.
She is survived by her daughter Viola “Kay” Moss (Darryl) and grandchildren, Crystal McKinney Fraleigh, Amy McKinney Mullen, Gregory Moss (Nichole), Zachariah Moss (Cheyenne), and Jedidiah Moss (Davian); son, Steven L. Barrow (Norma) and grandchildren, Justin Barrow (Myranda) and Joshua Barrow (Brittany), Amanda Ritson (Douglas), Blake Peterson (Abigail), and Robert Peterson (Dana); and son, Gary W. Barrow (Wanita), and grandchildren, Nikki Burns (Mark) and Ashley Guzman.
Viola’s ashes will be buried with her late beloved husband Pa, James Clayton Walters. A Graveside Service will be held Monday, 5/8/23 @ 2pm, at Lakeside Memory Gardens, 36601 County Road 19A, Eustis, Florida, 32726. Flowers may be delivered between 9am – 1pm on May 8th to Lakeside Memory Gardens, 36601 County Road 19A, Eustis, Florida, 32726.
Following graveside service, a Memory Gathering will be held for family and friends @ Eustis Assembly of God, 2024 S. Grove Street, Eustis, FL, 32726. Please do not send flowers, cards, etc. to the Church. Cards and donations for burial expenses may be sent to: Viola Moss, 5404 Root Road, Spencer, OH 44275
