Vivian M. Jones

Vivian Jones was a remarkable woman, of great strength, compassion, and character. She was a fun-loving woman who lived her life to the fullest, with hard work, her trademark humor and limitless love. She was a devoted wife, loving mother and friend to so many, who taught us to appreciate the blessings we are given. Vivian was a blessing to us all. Vivian's story began on a cold December day in 1935, as the holidays approached in Muskegon, Michigan. Those were difficult times for so many in this country, as Americans still hadn't pulled themselves from the quagmire of the Great Depression. Yet on December 19, 1935, a snowy Thursday, Charles and Pansy (Walker) Strait found a little reason for hope, with the birth of beautiful baby girl, a daughter they named Vivian Maxine. Vivian was the couple's first of four children, each child born four years apart, with Nancy, Mickey and Elaine to join the family in the next 12 years. The close-knit family lived in a home on Henry Street in Muskegon, and Vivian's father worked as a foreman at Continental Motors making airplane engines, while her mother worked in a button factory to help make ends meet. The family was very close, and sometimes other extended family members lived with them when they needed help. During the summers they'd head up north to Hesperia to visit Vivian's grandpa, and while they were there, they'd stop and pick fruit as a family, to earn extra money. The family also faithfully attended Lakeside Baptist Church, and the kids were all required to attend Sunday School, too, forming the basis for Vivian's lifelong faith. Vivian went to Maple Grove School, and later Muskegon Heights High School. While she was in school, she also worked at Swift's Ice Cream Shop, and did bookkeeping at Carl's Grocery Store, too. She saved her money to buy nice clothes for herself. She was very close to her siblings, especially her sister Elaine and her brother Mickey, who was very close her whole life. After she graduated from high school, a friend introduced her to a young man named Willie "Bill" Jones. Some time passed, and one day Vivian and her mother were waiting at a bus stop, and Bill offered them a ride home, beginning a lifelong romance with a single kindly gesture. Vivian and Bill dated for two years, and she quickly fell in love with him and his terrific sense of humor. Bill loved to make up funny songs to sing to her, and make her laugh. The couple was married on February 5, 1955, beginning a beautiful marriage. They were truly best friends, enjoyed doing the same things, and were nearly inseparable their whole lives. The bride and groom soon became mother and father, as well. Their first child, son Randy, was born in 1957, and Judy followed in 1963. Sadly, both children had forms of epilepsy, and their seizures required them to eventually live in foster care. Judy went into foster care in 1970, and Randy in 1982. In 1965, however, the couple had a third child, son David. Vivian hadn't planned on having anymore children, worrying about epilepsy, but David was healthy and became a wonderful son and support to Vivian the rest of her life. The family attended Oakwood Baptist Church, eventually changing to Calvary Baptist Church in 1976, where they were faithful members for the rest of their lives. The family also enjoyed many great vacations together, from camping to trips to St. Louis and the Indy 500 racetrack. In addition to running the household and caring for her family, Vivian also worked outside the home, with the incredible work ethic she possessed. She worked at Johnson Products when the kids were young, and used babysitters while she was away. In 1970, she went back to school, taking nursing classes at Muskegon Community College to earn her LPN. She studied diligently, and maintained a 4.0 GPA. She was always exceptionally organized, and juggled work, school and her household seamlessly. She took a nursing job at Mercy Hospital, working in the cancer ward for a number of years, before transferring to the dialysis unit. She was an excellent nurse and coworker, and made so many great, lifelong friends in her 20 years working at Mercy. When she and Bill retired, they enjoyed traveling together, and fell in love with Mesa, Arizona, where they wintered for a number of years. They were a great team, and since Bill didn't like to fly, they always drove, and because Vivian didn't like to drive, Bill did all the piloting. They were both bluegrass music fans, too, and visited Branson, Missouri, and the Grand Ole Opry, among other places. They also enjoyed spending time with their beloved grandchildren, and Vivian was a wonderful Grandma. She babysat for them often, and doted on them equally, and let them stay overnight with them, too. She also took her granddaughters to get their hair done, and was so proud of her grandson D.J., when he performed his first solo flight as a teenager. Vivian was a fun-loving, vivacious woman, and always loved to have people around her, inviting company over often, as well. Sadly, her beloved husband Bill died of a sudden heart attack in 2005, just days after they celebrated their 50th anniversary in Mesa. Vivian was devastated, yet got through it with her family, friends, and even found comfort in her little Pomeranian dog Nikita, who went everywhere with her. Her family truly believes that Nikita's presence extended her life. She also took painting classes, and displayed a natural ability, creating several beautiful watercolors for her family. Sadly, Vivian developed cancer in 2006, and after a courageous battle, she died on Monday, January 22, 2007, at her son David's house, surrounded by her family. Vivian was a wonderful woman, such a strong, intelligent and vivacious lady. She was a person with a great zest for life, and the love and laughter along the way. She was a devoted wife, loving mother and grandmother, and a friend to so many of us. Vivian always appreciated her many blessings, and we were so blessed to have known her. She will be greatly missed. Surviving are her 2 sons, Randall Jones, David (Kathi) Jones of Sparta, MI; 1 daughter, Judy Jones; 4 grandchildren, D.J., Kaleigh, Nicole, Mindi; 2 sisters, Elaine (Ed) Wilder of Muskegon, Nancy (Larry) Martin of Las Vegas, NV; brother, Mickey (Linda) Strait of Holton, MI; sister-in-law, Charlotte Borgerding of Muskegon; many nieces & nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Willie "Bill" in 2005. Services are Saturday, January 27, 2007, 1:00 PM at Calvary Church with Rev. Dr. William J. Rudd officiating. Interment at Sunrise Memorial Gardens. Visitation is scheduled for Friday, 2-4 & 7-9 PM at Clock Life Story Funeral Home - Muskegon. Memorials may be made to Spectrum Hospice of Grand Rapids or Calvary Church Building Fund. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com to share a memory of Vivian, upload a photo, or sign the online guest book.