Vivian Kackley

Vivian was born on October 9, 1936, in Texarkana, Texas. She graduated from Texas High School in Texarkana and attended Texarkana College. On August 5, 1961, she married Arthur Earl Kackley III (“Kack”) — and together they shared more than 55 years of marriage and a life built on faith, family, and friendship.

Vivian and Kack settled in Robinson, Texas, where they raised their family and were founding members of Robinson Methodist Church. The friendships they formed there lasted a lifetime and meant the world to them both.

In 2016, Vivian moved to Lubbock to be near her daughter and son-in-law, Leigh and Jerry Smith. Though she lived with dementia for more than ten years, Vivian never lost her kind and happy spirit or her tender heart. She was always quick with a "thank you" for those who cared for her and never missed a chance to say "I love you" — even in her final days. To know Vivian was to feel welcomed. She had a gift for making everyone around her feel seen, valued, and loved, and that gift never dimmed, not even at the end. Her family will be forever grateful to the staff of Brookdale Monterey Memory Care, who cared for Vivian with compassion and grace.

Vivian was preceded in death by her husband, Kack; her mother, Jewel Westerman; her sister, Maggie Snook; her brothers, Richard Westerman and Sonny Westerman; and her son-in-law, Jerry Smith. She is survived by her daughter, Leigh Kackley Smith of Lubbock; her son, Kelley Kackley and wife Angela of Dallas; her son, Mark Kackley of Abilene; and two granddaughters, Emma Kackley and Ellie Kackley, both of Dallas.

A graveside service and celebration of Vivian's life will be held September 10, 2026, at 11:00 AM at Oakwood Cemetery, 2124 S. 5th Street, Waco, Texas. The family will be available to greet and visit with guests graveside beginning 45 minutes prior to the service. Please dress comfortably.

Donations in Vivian's memory may be made to Robinson Methodist Church, 104 South Old Robinson Road, Robinson, Texas 76706, (254) 662-3913.

Her family takes comfort in knowing she is at peace in the arms of her Savior, reunited with Kack, and that the love she gave so freely lives on in everyone who knew her.