Shirley Joyce Viator

On June 20, 2019, surrounded by loved ones, our mother, Shirley Joyce Viator, passed from this world. Born on August 26, 1926, she lived to be 92 years old. We are thankful for every day we had with her, and will cherish all the memories, but we, selfishly, have dreaded this day, and hoped and prayed that she would stay here longer. She was a wonderful mother, self-sacrificing, hard-working, good, and extremely generous with us, very smart and always strong. And we knew we were loved. We will miss her every day for the rest of our lives.

We take comfort in believing that she will be reunited with those loved ones who preceded her in death. Mother was an only child. She is preceded in death by her mother, Alberta Stewart Haley, and father, L.P. Haley; and her husband, Voorhies Paul “Gigi” Viator; and son, James Dale Viator. Mother is also preceded in death by a daughter, Vanessa Anne Viator, who died tragically at only seven years old. Vanny’s death was the hardest loss of our mother’s life.

Our mother, Shirley, grew up in Groves, Texas, and attended Groves Elementary; graduated from Port Neches High School in 1943; and graduated from Lamar Junior College in 1945.

Mother loved music. And loved to dance. By the time she was 16, she was taking off to Louisiana, where a gambling boat, “The Showboat” had a band playing every night. She loved the Big Band era music, and she could jitterbug with the best of them. She was discerning in her musical taste, teaching us to appreciate lyrics, good melody, and beautiful voices. She once said, that if she could do it all over, if she could choose to be anything, she would like to be a singer.

And our mother was beautiful. And kind. Our home was always open to friends. Everyone knew they were welcome. She cleaned, she cooked, and fed us all. And she loved to read. Books were a constant in her life. And she instilled that passion for literature in her children, taking us to Gates Memorial Library from a very early age.

Politics were hugely important to her. She was informed, she participated, and she made sure her children knew how imperative it was that they too be a part of the public dialogue. She read every op-ed, and would stuff envelopes full of clipped op-eds, and mail them to her adult children. A post-it note would be attached: “Read this! It’s important!”

When our father was diagnosed with Asbestosis, Mother helped him and his attorneys create his work-history record. The attorneys were so impressed with Mom, they hired her. She worked for Marvin Petersen, out of Houston, and Marlin Thompson, in Orange. Paul Hendersen was a long-term employer, and good friend, to our mom. Mother was happily surprised and proud, that after raising all her children, she had a job doing work she deemed important.

Mother leaves behind many whom love her. In death, she precedes her daughter, Marsha Lee Tilley, and her husband, Owen Tilley; her son, Kirby Louis Collins, and his wife, Donna Gail Collins; daughter, Mary D’Lane Viator, and her husband, Harrison Vickers; daughter, Cara Jo Kinchen; daughter, Lisa Suzette Bridgwater; and daughter, Berta Monique Viator. Also, she leaves behind eleven grandchildren, and twelve great-grandchildren.

Mother, we miss you already and will carry you in our hearts forever. Thank you for everything. We love you.

A a gathering of family and friends for Shirley will be held Monday, June 24, 2019 from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM. A a celebration of shirley's life will occur Monday, June 24, 2019 at 6:00 PM. A burial will occur at Greenlawn Memorial Park, 3900 Twin City Highway, Groves, Texas 77619.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.grammier-oberle.com for the Viator family.