Viola was born on 3/6/27, the first child of Bell and Arthur Richman in Philippi, West Virginia, in the Appalachia Mountain region. Her birth was followed by sisters Ruth, Wilda, Mary, Jane, Pauline and brother Paul. Arthur and Bell moved their young family north to East Liverpool, Ohio where they raised their children. Viola left school in the 9th grade to help support her family by working in the potteries around the East Liverpool and Chester, West Virginia areas.
Viola was raised in a Christian Church where she met her husband, Everett M. Wells at a church social shortly after Everett had returned from serving in the Army Air Corps during World War II. Viola and Everett married on October 10, 1947, and settled in Toronto, Ohio. Nine years after marriage they had their first and only child Ron. Viola worked various jobs in Toronto including managing Helen’s Dress Shop and working for Isley’s Drug Store while Everett built a career in the Titanium Metals Corporation mill in Toronto. In 1972, they left Toronto and assumed the Caretaker position at the Hollow Rock Holiness Campground near Hammondsville, Ohio. In 1977 Everett retired from Titanium after 20 years and they moved to Deltona, Florida where they both worked in the healthcare industry. They relocated to Mesa, Arizona in 1987 to be closer to their son Ron.
Viola remained committed to the Christian church community throughout her life, always an active participant and faith builder in the churches that she was a member of. She volunteered her time and talent to the building of new churches, as a Sunday School teacher and, one of her favorites, nursery volunteer. Viola was blessed by 5 grandchildren, Breanna, Shealyn, Gabriella, Shelby, Saige, and most recently, great grandchild Aurora. One of her greatest joys was to be surrounded by her granddaughters and great granddaughter.
Viola was preceded in death by her, brother Paul, sisters Ruth, Jane and Wilda, and husband Everett. Surviving family members include Ron Wells and wife Dawn, Breanna, Aurora and husband Thomas Cayzer, Shealyn and husband Ryan Brough, Gabriella and fiancé Derek Rojas, Shelby and Saige Wells, as well as her sisters Mary Shovelow and Pauline Walton.
Services for Viola Wells
Mountain View Funeral Home and Cemetery
7900 E. Main Street
Mesa, Arizona 85207
10:00 AM, August 20th, 2024
Visitation in the Chapel followed by
11:00 Funeral Service
Committal at the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona
2929 E Pinnacle Peak Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85024
1:30 PM
Aunt Vi was an amazing woman. Her Faith and love for her Family was ever present. She called every day Mom (Ruth) was sick. They were so much alike. Even after Mom passed she would call to check on Dad. I loved talking to her and sharing what I found out about our ancestors. She was everyone’s favorite. I know she is with God now in his loving embrace.
Vi was a beautiful soul who was so very dear to me during my youth and especially her and Everett’s devoted work at sacred Hollow Rock. What days those were!! God be with Ron and families that share in earthly loss, but oh, heaven’s gain. She deserves her crown.
Our most wonderful memories are when we gathered for Christmas and Thanksgiving. We could hardly wait for Thanksgiving. We could hardly wait for our tin cans full of different Christmas cookies. We have been blessed with such a wonderful woman. We appreciate you Vi and thank you for the memories. The Martinez family.
We have many wonderful memories with Vi. The times we spent Thanksgiving and Christmas and family get together. We could hardly wait for Thanksgiving day anticipating tin cans full different Christmas cookies. Our life’s have been blessed with such a wonderful woman. Vi you are appreciated. The Martinez family.
Ms. Vi, as she was respectfully called, was a Treasure beyond Measure. She was a true disciple of our Lord, Jesus Christ. She was my best friend, notwithstanding our age difference. I always told her I wanted to be like her when I grew up. Ms. Vi will forever be in our hearts.
She definitely earned , “ well done, good and faithful servant”.
Aunt Vi was an amazing woman. Her Faith and love for her Family was ever present. She called every day Mom (Ruth) was sick. They were so much alike. Even after Mom passed she would call to check on Dad. I loved talking to her and sharing what I found out about our ancestors. She was everyone’s favorite. I know she is with God now in his loving embrace.
Vi was a beautiful soul who was so very dear to me during my youth and especially her and Everett’s devoted work at sacred Hollow Rock. What days those were!! God be with Ron and families that share in earthly loss, but oh, heaven’s gain. She deserves her crown.
Our most wonderful memories are when we gathered for Christmas and Thanksgiving. We could hardly wait for Thanksgiving. We could hardly wait for our tin cans full of different Christmas cookies. We have been blessed with such a wonderful woman. We appreciate you Vi and thank you for the memories. The Martinez family.
We have many wonderful memories with Vi. The times we spent Thanksgiving and Christmas and family get together. We could hardly wait for Thanksgiving day anticipating tin cans full different Christmas cookies. Our life’s have been blessed with such a wonderful woman. Vi you are appreciated. The Martinez family.
Ms. Vi, as she was respectfully called, was a Treasure beyond Measure. She was a true disciple of our Lord, Jesus Christ. She was my best friend, notwithstanding our age difference. I always told her I wanted to be like her when I grew up. Ms. Vi will forever be in our hearts.
She definitely earned , “ well done, good and faithful servant”.