Viola Appleton-Albrecht

Viola was born in Huntington, Arkansas on February 3, 1923 to loving parents, James D. Copland and Addie May Davis Copland. She was raised and educated in Huntington along with her three brothers, Floyd, Buddy and Vernon and one sister, Helen.

On July 2, 1938, Viola married Earl Appleton after making the train trip from Huntington, Arkansas to Phoenix, Arizona. Shortly after their marriage they moved to Madrid, New Mexico in search of work, where they made their home for three years. Earl and Viola moved to Armona, California to make their home and raise their family and to care for Earl's mother. Earl joined the United States Military and Viola made the trip to Oklahoma with her children to stay for a time. She returned to Armona with her children and her mother in tow and cared for both her mother and mother-in-law until Earl was discharge in 1945. Viola was walking down 7th Street in Hanford on Sept. 16, 1944 and stopped in at F.W.Woolworth to apply for a job. To her surprise she was hired as a sales girl and quickly advanced to Personnel Manager and worked 45 years until the store closed their doors in 1989. In 1972 Viola was chosen as Employee of the Year by F.W. Woolworth. In 1990 Earl passed away. Viola continued to play an active role in her community. She served as an officer of the Armona Lady Lions Club and was chosen Mother of the Year by the Lions Club. She also served as President of the Armona Women’s Club. She was a devoted member of the Armona United Methodist Church. Viola received her Fifty-Year Life Membership Certificate from the Lily of the Lake Chapter 41 of the Order of the Eastern Star and was active with Jobs Daughters. On May 15, 1993 Viola married Art Albrecht in Armona at the Methodist Church. He preceded her in death on February 18, 2001. Viola most of all enjoyed times spent with her children and grandchildren. Family always came first. She was a kind and caring lady and gave her time graciously to anyone in need. Viola will be greatly missed by those who knew and loved her.

Viola was also preceded in death by her three brothers, Sister and her son-in-law J.G. Nilan.

Viola leaves to cherish her memory, her three children, Charlett Nilan of Fresno, Jim Appleton and wife Elaine of Spokane, WA and Peggy Jackson and husband, Larry of Armona; four grandsons, Jay Nilan of Sacramento, CA, Tim Jackson and wife, Christine of Friant, CA, Michael Appleton and his wife Tanya of Bakersfield, CA and Tim Rhinehart currently serving in the military and his wife Denise. and five very special great grandchildren, Morgan Jackson, Christopher Appleton, Ryan Appleton, Colton Jackson and Jamie Coffman and many wonderful friends.

Viola's family wishes to express their heartfelt gratitude to the staff of Carrington Point Assisted Living and St. Agnes Hospice for the kindness and special care to their beloved mother during the last eight years and final days of Viola's life.

Graveside services will be held on Thursday, May 24, 2012 at 11 a.m. at the Grangeville Cemetery, 10428 14th Avenue in Armona, CA.

Remembrances may be made to Armona United Methodist Church P.O. Box 877 Armona CA 93202 or St. Agnes Hospice.

Condolences may be offered at www.peoplesfuneralchapel.com.

Arrangements entrusted to People's Funeral Chapel, 501 N.Douty St., Hanford, CA 93230 (559) 584-5591.