Tahlequah, OK- Funeral services for Vivian Sarah Ballew were held on Saturday, March 31st, 2012 at 11:00 AM at Cookson United Methodist Church with Pastor Rudy Freese and Intern Pastor Shane Ward officiating. Interment followed at Cookson-Proctor Cemetery near Cookson. Services were entrusted to Reed-Culver Funeral Home of Tahlequah.
Vivian Sarah Ballew was born on November 25th, 1915 in Happy Hollow, AR. She is the daughter of Allie Fields and Mattie Ann (Faddis) Thompson. She graduated from Baggley High School and excelled at math. After graduation, she attended Northeastern State College. She married the love of her life, Billie Ballew on October 20th, 1940 in Siloam Springs, AR. This union was blessed with three children, James, Raymond, and Brenda, along with Vivian’s son Charles and Billie’s children Billie Joe, Jack and Clara. Vivian and Billie were the best of friends until Billie’s passing in 1975. Vivian held her teaching certificate and was employed at NSU for over twenty years in the accounting department. When she wasn’t working, she kept busy at home quilting, cooking, and helping her family. Vivian was very strong and determined, in mind and spirit. She was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star. She was an accomplished cook who made the most wonderful chicken and dumplings, desserts as well as all her grandkids favorites. Vivian and her husband Billie were Charter Members of the Cookson United Methodist Church. She was proud that she was able to raise her children in church and help her fellow man along the way. Twelve years ago, Vivian relocated to the San Bernadino Valley of California to be close to her daughter, grand and great grandchildren. The Lord called Vivian home from her labors on March 20th, 2012 in Redlands, CA with her family by her side. She was 96 years old. She will be greatly missed for all the love and laughter she shared with those she leaves behind.
Vivian is preceded in death by her parents, her husband Billie, and three sons, Billie Joe Ballew, Charles Glory and Jack Ballew.
Those left to cherish her memory include her four children, Brenda Ballew-Ward and husband Gary of Yucaipa, CA, James Ballew and wife Katie of Grapevine,TX, Raymond Ballew of Dennison, TX, Clara Fisher of Southwest City, MO, and daughter-in-law Margie Ballew of Tahlequah, OK. Vivian leaves two sisters, Ireva Winner, Lillian Cookson, and two brothers, Milton Thompson and Olen Thompson. Vivian’s legacy lives on in her 26 grandchildren, 38 great grandchildren as well as many cousins ,friends and many loved ones.
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