Viola Eloise Shultz, of Cheat Neck Community, passed into the presence of the Lord, at J.W. Ruby Memorial Hospital on April 14, 2018. She was surrounded by her loving family and peacefully went into the arms of Jesus.
Viola was born May 22, 1926, the eighth child of parents Alonzo and Tressi Walker, in Grapeville, Pa.
She lived in the Grapeville/Jeannette area while in elementary school. Her family relocated to Morgantown as Viola was beginning the sixth grade. She graduated from University High School and attended Morgantown Business College.
She married her high school sweetheart, Lester W. Shultz, and thereafter they made their home in the Cheat Neck area of the Cheat Lake Community. Viola was blessed to occupy her beloved home up until her hospitalization three days before her passing.
In addition to her parents, she preceded in death by her seven siblings; her first husband, Lester W. Shultz; as well as her second husband, Gerald Kelly.
She is survived by her daughter, Dianna Lee Willard and her spouse, James M. Willard; and her son, Lester “Butch” Shultz and his spouse, Cynthia L. Shultz. Surviving grandchildren include Tamara Willard Snider and husband, Tim Snider, Jennifer D. Shultz and her partner, James Taylor, Hillary L. Shultz and fiancé, Mathew Thomas, and Heidi Shultz LeMasters and husband, Andrew LeMasters and Devinne N. Sparks. Great-grandchildren include Jacob Snider, Jordyn Snider and Ava Grace LeMasters, due to enter this world in August 2018.
Over the years, Viola was employed at Morgantown Shirt Factory, Zellers Glass Co., Morgantown Florist, the WV Division of Highways and later assisted many area florists. She was an accomplished seamstress and enjoyed making clothing for her family.
Viola was a member of the earlier Zion United Methodist Church and then continued with the Cheat Lake United Methodist Church. She was the eldest member of the Cheat Lake United Methodist Women’s Society and was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star.
Viola loved to garden and blessed many friends and neighbors with her harvests. She volunteered for many years delivering Meals on Wheels. She loved working outside with her flower garden and enjoyed operating her own riding lawn mower while wearing her sun bonnet well into her late 80s. When unable to continue with the vegetable garden, she sat in the shade and supervised the planting and harvest.
Viola should be remembered for her exceptionally kind heart and greeting all with a smile and the “I love you” goodbye. She will be greatly missed but the family and loved ones are comforted knowing that she has now a new body and is joyfully dancing and blessing others in heaven with her smile and “I love you’s.”
Family and friends will be received at Hastings Funeral Home, 153 Spruce St., Morgantown, from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, and from 10 a.m. Wednesday, April 18, until the 11 a.m. funeral service with Pastor H. Wayne Swisher and the Rev. Andrew Burd-Harris officiating. Interment will follow at Zion Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Meals on Wheels, 3375 University Ave., Morgantown, WV 26505.
Condolences: hastingsfuneralhome.com
