Vivian Viola Jones was born at home on the farm on October 3, 1941 near Belleville, Pennsylvania. She is the sixth child of eight born to Arthur and Carrie (Zerby) Jones. Vivian, her four sisters and three brothers grew up on several farms in Pennsylvania with most of Vivian’s memories from their time on the 150 acre Maude Miller Farm.

On the Maude Miller Farm, Vivian recalls the half mile “lane” that they walked every day to and from the school bus—in all kinds of weather. They also waited at the end of the “lane” on Sunday mornings for someone to pick them up and take them to church. They raised rabbits, went to the woods to pick all kinds of berries and took walks with George and Grace along the mountains. She shared stories of her playing hide-and-seek, snowball battles and winter fun with her siblings, playing board games and cards and how “we just made our own fun”. Vivian was proud to tell everyone that she was “a farm girl”. Simple living, importance of family and the strength she drew from her rural upbringing were a great source of pride for Vivian.

Vivian’s education began in the Pine Grove Mills area school, and she attended Huntingdon High School. While she was in high school, she met John David at a Drive-In theater. They were married on December 31, 1958, before John shipped out with the Army and before Viv graduated. In Spring 1959 Vivian graduated from Huntingdon High School and went to be with John in Germany. The newlyweds were stationed in the Frankfurt, Germany area. As the story goes, John and Elvis Presley both served in Army Company HQS at the same time!!

Vivian and John began their family with three daughters. Margaret was born in 1960 in Germany. In 1961 Vivian returned to Grandpap David’s farm in Trough Creek Valley where John joined her after his Army discharge and Donna was born. Susan arrived in 1962. Their sons Gary, born in 1964, and Robert, born in 1965, completed their family.

Their many years living on Grandpap David’s farm was filled with memories of the huge garden, canning (especially peaches!!), farm chores and making DESSERTS, all while raising her family. While on the farm, they owned a couple of stock cars and on many Saturday nights the family would pack into the station wagon, park on the hill and watch the stock car races. Vivian herself drove a stock car in the Powder Puff Derby at the Heston Race Track. As part of keeping those cars running, Vivian helped by mounting tires on the rims and installing them on cars. Highlighted memories always included family and food, such as every Sunday the large family meal with Uncle Myron, Aunt Cora and Kandi. Hosting holiday meals was a delight for Viv where she made sure there was enough food “just in case someone else stopped by”.

Desserts are a favorite of Vivian’s. There wasn’t a sweet treat she didn’t like. One of her favorites to make was a jellyroll and Christmas always had fruit salad, raisin-filled cookies, and Missionary cake. New Years Day meant pork, sauerkraut and dumplings at George and Grace’s. Other dishes that came to mind were homemade/home-churned ice cream, pie, deviled eggs, relish trays, cranberry salad and of course bread fresh from the oven.

Even more important than the food were the people. Viv shared countless stories of playing board games and of course cards—many people gathering “making our own fun” and making enduring memories. Some recall how competitive Grandma Jones was with her card playing. Vivian shared that enthusiasm for cards and the game of carrom as well. Vivian’s 80th birthday was quite a celebration where family and food came together in grand style. It was a long weekend of many people stopping by to play cards, share and make new memories, hear George recall family history and EAT great food like pie, home-churned ice cream, and so much more. This gathering to honor Vivian sparked a revival of the Jones’ Family Reunion tradition.

From 1970 to about 1979 Vivian and John owned and ran David’s General Store/Auto Service in Calvin, Pennsylvania. There Vivian sold groceries and gas, guns and ammunition, licenses and general supplies. She did all the bookwork involved with owning and running a business. She still canned and won ribbons at the Huntingdon County Fair, all while raising her growing family. Vivian was involved in her children’s school as the treasurer of the Mt. Union High School Band Boosters. Each of Vivian’s children played an instrument in the band and she enjoyed home games when they played and going with them on band trips to places like Atlantic City. Vivian loved football and rarely missed a home Mt. Union Trojan’s football game. While in Calvin, Vivian was the Treasurer for the Harmony Church of God which was right behind David’s General Store. They still have the memory of Grandpap David saying ”If you can party on Saturday night, you better be in church on Sunday morning”. Vivian began selling insurance for American General in the 1970’s. Her exceptional ability with numbers was an asset here as it was in her other business and volunteer work at school and church as the treasurer.

In March 1980 John was seriously injured in a car crash. He spent the rest of his life in hospitals/care centers and passed in March 1998.

In 1988 Vivian moved to Smithfield, Pennsylvania where she continued to grow her insurance business. She moved to Orrstown, Pennsylvania in 2004, retired from American General Insurance and began working for Amazon and Wal-Mart. 2016 marked her retirement and 2017 was her move to Rock Hill, South Carolina near Margaret and Steve. In 2020 she moved to Oak Grove, Minnesota to live with Susan and Michael until 2023 when she moved to Arbor Oaks in Andover, Minnesota.

Family is a cornerstone for Vivian and her most prized role was that of ‘Grammy”. Her Grandchildren were the “heart of her existence and the light of her life.” Jonathan was the first to call her Grammy. Vivian played a large and important part of his early upbringing. Soon to follow were Marie and Alan. Amanda and Ashley were the next to enter the cherished grandchild fold with Joey and Rebecca completing the crew. The crew grew to include Amanda’s husband Mark, Jonathan’s wife Kristin, and Marie’s boyfriend Chris.

Vivian’s grandchildren fondly recall how they felt truly loved and welcomed by their Grammy. Memories that bring them great joy, comfort, laughter and that they talk about often include: being all lined up in a row for their ‘huge slumber parties’; sliding down the stairs on a mattress; riding in Jonathan’s jeep; Easter egg hunts; and ‘the biggest playroom with all the BEST toys’! “Grammy genuinely was happy to see us happy.”

Vivian got a promotion to “GiGi” as the Great-Grammy to Eden, Levi, Zion and Ruth.

Vivian was a favorite in her Arbor Oaks neighborhood. Many remember her always wanting her coffee; her being very quick with any and all number games; that purple was her favorite color; that she had a healthy sense of humor and wanted to “have a good laugh”; her correcting staff stating that “girls are NOT guys”; that she was afraid of storms, especially the thunder and lightning; she loved the worship services and hymn sing times and her beckoning staff to come and “see the beautiful sunset”.

Some of the phrases that we connect with Vivian include:

“Watch out for the deer”…..”It’s not safe for the animals out there!”

“I guess they let just anybody in here!”

“This old grey mare ain’t what she used to be”

“Well……you just got to expect that”

“That monkey didn’t make it to the top of the tree”

“Don’t fill up on water or you won’t eat your meal”

Vivian’s devotion to her church—starting with waiting at the end of the “lane” for someone to take her to church has been a lifelong faith walk for her. This dependence on Jesus shepherded her through many sorrows and hardships. Just to name a few: the loss of her husband, three children, several siblings and many other family members. We trust that as she shares her final sunset with us here, Jesus is waiting with open arms telling her “Well done good and faithful servant”.

Funeral Service at Robert Peters Funeral Home (1106 Mifflin Street, Huntingdon, PA 16652) on Saturday, March 1st at 11 AM with visitation from 9-11 AM. Interment Trough Creek Baptist Cemetery, Calvin, PA. Because of flower sensitivities, in lieu of flowers, please consider making memorial contributions to Trough Creek Baptist Cemetery (PO Box 184, Calvin, PA 16622).