Vivian A. Read, 89, formerly of the Filley/El Dorado Springs area, passed away Monday, July 12, 2010, at Maples Health and Rehab in Springfield. She was born Oct, 6, 1920, in Cedar County, west of Caplinger Mills to John L. and Charlotte (Shaw) Hopkins.
In 1926 she moved with her parents one and a half miles north of Filley, where she attended Cherry Valley School. She met and married King Thomas “Buck” Read in 1938.
Viv, as she was commonly known to those who knew her best, and Granny Viv to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, lived alone in Filley at the family residence most of her adult life. She resided there until she fell and broke her hip. After surgery and other complications, she moved in with her daughter, Vadena, in Springfield until her death. Vadena was her caregiver since she could no longer live alone or care for herself on a daily basis.
In Filley, she was always busy, keeping her home up and cooking for relatives and visitors. She was always available when someone needed home care or for someone who was celebrating a special occasion. One of her many specialties was “home made” (from scratch) cinnamon rolls. If you spent the night with Vivian, you would awaken to the smell of the rolls cooking in the oven, having been made the night before.
Vivian was a faithful member of the Filley Christian Church and always looked forward to Sunday morning and other special occasions. She was special and a friend to everyone she met. She always had a kind word for everyone, no matter what their
walk in life.
Vivian was also a charter member of Cherry Valley Extension Club, Red Cross Volunteers, High Hopes (cancer survivors) and liked to spend quality time with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She will be missed by those who knew her best and the memories will last a lifetime.
Preceding her in death were her parents; her husband; an infant son, Charles Edward, and a special nephew, Curtis Eugene Hopkins.
Survivors include her children: Larry Read and wife, Iris - Jacksonville, FL, Vadena Julian – Springfield, and John “Johnny Bill” Read - Kimberling City; nine grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; one sister, Violet Skakal - Basehor, KS; two brothers, Cletis E. Hopkins - Stockton and Curtis L. Hopkins - West Chester, PA; several nieces and nephews; many other relatives and a host of friends.
Services will begin at 2 p.m. Thursday, July 15, at Bland-Hackleman Chapel with Rev. Howard McPeak officiating. Karen Rains
will provide music. Interment will follow in Mound Cemetery under the direction of Bland-Hackleman Funeral Home.
Pallbearers will be: David Skakal, Jerry Lee Skakal, Chet Read, Trent Donnohue, Ben Julian and K. Lee Whitesell.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to High Hopes, Filley Christian Church or Hospice.
