Vi was born on August 27, 1927, in Geraldine, Montana. She enjoyed the big blue sky there and riding her horse as a child. She retrieved coal out of the mines in her teens. Shortly after graduating high school, Vi left home to attend Columbus School of Nursing, where she graduated as a RN in 1949. She moved to California and there met the love of her life, Charlie McClure. They were married February 22, 1951, in California and blessed with 4 children shortly thereafter. They were married 63 years before Charlie's passing in 2014.
Being happily married to a military man, she and Charlie lived in many cities, states, and countries before finally settling down in Oklahoma in 1973. Home was wherever Charlie was and her favorite place to be. Vi worked as a nurse all over the United States until the age of 74 when she retired from Deaconess Hospital. She was never seen without lipstick and wore high heels until age 95. She enjoyed gardening, especially roses, spending time with family, going on dates with Charlie, and a good cup of hot coffee with chocolate.
Viola was a long-time member of Lake View Park Church of the Nazarene. She loved the Lord with all her heart and long awaited the day to run into the arms of Jesus and reunite with her loved ones.
She was preceded in death by her parents Charley G Richardson and Olga Edith Moline Sexton; brother James Daniel Richardson; sister Ruby Josephine Sanders; husband Charles Hayes McClure III; and daughter Camilla Marie Mendenhall.
Left to cherish her memory are her children Chuck McClure (wife Monica), Sue Thanscheidt (husband Garry), Steve McClure (wife Donna), and son-in-law Stephen Jack Mendenhall. She also leaves a legacy of 11 grandchildren, 24 great grandchildren, and 1 great-great granddaughter.
