Violet Janette Huffman Hoskins

Violet Janette Huffman Hoskins, 95, passed peacefully surrounded by family in the comfort of home on June 17, 2021 in Zebulon, NC. Born September 24, 1925 in Bismarck, Illinois; Vi was one of ten children of the late James Edward Huffman and Margaret Mary Harbaugh Huffman. Violet was the wife of Robert James Hoskins, to whom she was married 69 years and 9 months until his death January 26, 2017 at the age of 92.

Violet is survived by her three children Jack Hoskins of Miller Creek in the mountains of North Carolina, Perry Hoskins and wife Tricia of Columbia, SC and Christy Hoskins Carter and husband Timothy of Zebulon, NC, who were Violet’s caretakers in their home. Violet also has four grandchildren Brandie Hoskins Ballard and Amy Hoskins (daughters of Perry Hoskins) and Robyn Hoskins and Gareth Hoskins (children of Jack Hoskins) and great-grandchildren Kennedy and Evie Ballard.

Violet’s one surviving sibling is younger sister Margaret Warren of Clayton, NC. She is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews and their families.

Violet was born and raised in the small farming town of Bismarck, Illinois. She, her parents and nine siblings lived through many important historical events including the Great Depression, the Dust Bowl, World War II and several other challenging times, earning them the title “the greatest generation”, and yes they were strong and productive in building and saving the nation.

Violet attended elementary through high school in the same building across the street from the family home in tiny Bismarck, Illinois. The family loved to hear the stories from her childhood in the 1920s and 1930s. Violet, since childhood, wanted to be a nurse. But the family, having survived the Great Depression was too poor to send her to Nursing School. So, when World War II began she joined the Cadet Nurse Corp formed by the US Army, from which she received her Registered Nursing education and degree. However, as soon as she finished her education and graduated, the war ended. Therefore she worked at the Veteran’s Hospitals in Danville, Illinois, then again for a brief time in Raleigh, NC. When her children were old enough she returned to the work force. She worked until she injured her back lifting a fallen patient off the floor.

Violet met her husband, Robert at a skating rink in Danville, Illinois. She came to the rink with another young man, but took up with Robert and he drove her home. One can imagine how the jilted young man left behind must have felt. But Bob and Vi fell in love and were married six months later in Chicago on April 25, 1947. Together they had three children and were married for over 69 years.

Over the years the family moved as Robert’s employer, a Propane Gas Company needed him elsewhere. They lived in Illinois, Ohio, and finally to Raleigh, NC in 1964. Bob remained employed with the gas company until his retirement 30 years later. Vi worked as a Registered Nurse at Vermillion County Hospital in Danville, Illinois until her first child was born in 1950 when she then became a full-time mom.

Violet was an excellent seamstress and made most of the family’s clothes and other items. She stayed home to raise her family only going back to work as a nurse in Raleigh, for about five years. For many years, Robert traveled in his work, leaving Violet in charge of all responsibilities at home. She handled them all with three children underfoot. The rare vacations found the family traveling around America by car. Robert rebuilt a small airplane and took the family on many rides.

In the early years, before marriage, Robert flew to Chicago to bring Violet home to Bismarck on weekends and holidays. After raising the children retirement years found Bob and Vi active as ever, traveling, remodeling the home, exercising, gardening and landscaping, helping their children when needed … barely a still day until in their 80s. When Bob passed away at age 92, Violet insisted on living alone in their home of 53 years. She did so until a year later when a burglar broke into their home late one night while she was upstairs asleep. She was awakened by the sound and the flashlight of the burglar. She survived unharmed but afterwards she agreed to move into her daughter’s home where she remained until her death. Change was difficult for Violet after she and Bob spent so many years building and refining their lifestyle, putting so much time and effort into being secure and independent. However, during the days of her life on this earth, Violet renewed her relationship with God through the Lord Jesus Christ and found joy, love, comfort and happy expectation in His holy presence where she resides at this very moment.

The family would like to thank Amedisys Hospice Care in Franklinton, NC for their loving, constant support and guidance during the last weeks and hours of Violet’s life. Hospice is still staying in touch to make sure Christy and Tim are adjusting to the intense loss and have offered bereavement care to the family. The family therefore asks that donations be made to this wonderful institution that has helped so many families and individuals properly care for loved ones at home in the finals days and hours of precious lives.

Family will receive friends on Saturday, June 26th from 1-2 pm at Mitchell Funeral Home (7209 Glenwood Avenue in Raleigh). Funeral Services will be held in the funeral home chapel beginning at 2 pm, with interment to follow at Raleigh Memorial Park. For those unable to attend, a video of services will be posted afterwards for viewing under DONATIONS below.

Memorials may be made to the Amedisys Hospice Care - 3320 US-1 Suite B, Franklinton, NC 27525.