Viola Langford Penley

Penley, Viola passed away June 6, 2015. A third generation Floridian, Viola was born October 27, 1921 in O’Brien, Florida. As a young girl she helped her family pick strawberries in Sarasota’s Palmer Groves under the warmth of the Florida sun. At night, her school lessons were completed by candlelight.After graduating from Sarasota High School, Viola and her family moved to Tampa, where on a blind date, she met her husband Bert who was stationed at Fort Homer Hesterly Armory. Together they built a home in Seminole Heights, where they raised their children, Kathy and Michael, and were active in the community for over 50 years.From 1961-1965 Bert and Viola fostered newborns in their home. Viola nurtured 24 babies, some of whom stayed with the family as long as a year, others only months, or even days.From 1966-1985, Viola worked for the Hillsborough County School System at Cleveland Elementary, Monroe Junior High, and Hillsborough High School. Upon retirement, she and Bert traveled throughout the United States in their travel trailer, visiting all but four of the 50 states.Viola was self-reliant and disciplined. At age 11 she taught herself how to sew and completed her first dress on a treadle sewing machine. Decades later, her finished designs included suits, gowns, all of her own clothing, and intricately crafted costumes for her grandchildren.Viola had a life-long abiding faith in God. She and Bert were devoted members of the Sulphur Springs Church of God for 54 years. She was a Christian in the purest sense of the word, living each day with a kind and generous heart. Should a family member, neighbor, friend, or the Church need help, she was ever-present, ready to extend a compassionate hand.With a reverence for the beauty of all that God created, Viola was a gifted gardener. Active in the Seminole Heights Garden Club, she was known for establishing and maintaining exquisite gardens and joyfully sharing them with others. The Sunshine State revealed its particular beauty to Viola as she wrote in the following poem as a child:“Springtime in Florida”

The birds are singing in the trees And flowers are blooming fair.For Spring has come to Earth again. And beauty is everywhere. There is no season of the year Lovelier than Spring. When we can see the world rejoice And little children sing. But when it’s Spring in Florida That’s where I want to be.

Where I can see the ocean waves And blossoms on orange trees. Viola will be remembered for her soft sweet smile, faithful spirit, and inspirational living. She is survived by her loving and caring husband of 69 years, Bert; daughter Kathy Koenig; son and daughter-in-law Michael and Lorrie Penley; grandson Mark Koenig; grandson and wife Lee and Vicki Koenig; great grandson Paul Felix Koenig, and numerous nieces and nephews.Funeral services will be held Wednesday, June 10, 2015 at 2 p.m. at Garden of Memories Funeral Home in Tampa. The family will receive friends from 1-2 pm and request that in lieu of flowers, donations be made in her memory to the Children’s Home of Tampa or to Suncoast Hospice Brookside Center Palm Harbor.