Viola Meade

Minnie “Viola” Bennett Meade went to be with her Lord and Savior on Saturday, August 25, 2018, surrounded by her loving family. Viola was born July 1, 1924 in Martin County, NC to Robert Frank and Minnie Bell Gardner Bennett. She was the middle of their eleven children. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by brothers: Franklin, William, Henry and C.D. Bennett; sisters: Frances B. Council, Beulah B. Hunter, Louise B. Askew, and Annie Maude Donald. Viola graduated from Murfreesboro High School in 1941 and completed civilian training in Goldsboro, NC to prepare for work at Seymour Johnson Air Base during WWII. There she met and married the love of her life, James Jerome “Jimmy” Meade, Jr., her husband for 62 years until his death in 2007. Viola retired from Barcalo Manufacturing and later as a Deputy Clerk in the Nash County Clerk of Court’s Office. She was an active member in the Nashville Baptist Church where she taught Sunday School, Bible School, Girls’ Auxiliary (GAs), and served in a variety of roles in the Women’s Missionary Union until her transition to assisted living in November 2017. She was a member and past Worthy Matron in the Order of the Eastern Star #332. For several years, she served as a volunteer in the Nash General Hospital Auxiliary. One of her passions was assisting residents with Bingo at a local nursing home. Always a good cook, Viola was best known for the pecan Roca candy she made for many people at Christmas. Left to cherish her memory are daughters: Joan M. Sykes (Ray) of Rocky Mount and Carolyn M. Vick (Jackie B.) of Dortches; sisters: Shirley B. Vinson of Portsmouth, VA and Lorene B. Paul (Brinson) of Murfreesboro; sisters-in-law: Marion M. Houle of Brush Prairie, WA, Pearl V. Bennett of Murfreesboro; brother-in-law: Aubrey L. Meade, Sr. of Lake Royale; grandsons: Brian R. Sykes (Melissa) of Nashville, Keith M. Sykes (Sara Ashley) of Charlotte, Brandon D. Vick (Laura Whitney) of Nashville, and Jonathan B. Vick (Brittany) of King George, VA; granddaughter: Kelly Vick Harrell (Tyler) of Winterville; great-grandchildren: Caleb Sykes, Emma and Nathan Harrell, and Maggie Vick; special niece and nephew: Shelton and Sharon Meade of Rocky Mount, Tina T. Perron (Monte) of Wake Forest, and Sammy Meade (Magda) of Raleigh; and many other nieces and nephews. A celebration of her life will be held at Nashville Baptist Church, 512 E Washington St, Nashville, NC 27856 on Tuesday, August 28, 2018 at 3:00 p.m. with Rev. Kenny Byrd and Rev. Dougald McLaurin officiating. Following the service, the family will receive friends in the church Fellowship Hall. At other times, the family will receive friends and family at the homes of her daughters. A private interment with the family will be at Forest Hill Cemetery in Nashville the following day at 10:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Salvation Army online [give.salvationarmyusa.org or 420 Paul St. Rocky Mount, NC 27803] or to the Masonic Home for Children at Oxford [mhc-oxford.org/ways-to-help or 600 College Street, Oxford, NC 27565] The family would like to thank the staff and residents of Brookdale Senior Living of Rocky Mount, the staff of Autumn Care of Nashville, Dr. Ervin Phipps and staff of Eastern NC Medical Group, Dr. Shawn Putnam and staff of Medical Eye Associates for all of their care and concerns for mother. In addition, the family is grateful for Dr. Doug Boyette and the staff of Hospice and Palliative Care of Nash Health Care for their wonderful support.

Tributes

Viola Meade

July 1, 1924 - August 25, 2018