| Vivian Mae Cole, 89, of Smithville, Ritchie County, West Virginia, passed away May 26, 2011 at Ruby Memorial Hospital in Morgantown.
She was born August 16, 1921 in Beaumont, Texas, a daughter of Osmond and Virginia Cole. She graduated from French High School in Beaumont in 1938. She became a registered nurse in 1945 following her training at Robert E. Green Hospital School of Nursing in San Antonio, Texas. She received a B.A. degree in History and Biology from Mary Hardin Baylor College in Belton, Texas in 1947.
Vivian entered the US Army in 1948 as a nursing instructor. She received an honorable discharge in 1950 with the rank of second lieutenant. She then enlisted in the US Air Force in 1950 as a nursing instructor-administrator and retired in 1970 with the rank of lieutenant colonel. In 1970 she purchased property and built her home in Burnt House where she lived the rest of her life.
She was very talented at all the fine arts. She loved needle craft, played the piano and painted. She was knowledgeable about the plants, flowers and soils of the area. Her large yard is still beautifully landscaped and she worked hard to protect it and her home from the creek flooding. She loved animals and always had a dog and, or a cat in her home.
Vivian traveled extensively while in the military and particularly loved England. She took numerous classes over the years to improve her appreciation of the arts, cultures and languages. She has a vast collection of books in her home.
She received Jesus as her Lard and Savior at an early age and He has been her guide throughout. She attended and taught Bible study at Glenville Baptist Church and later attended the Burnt House United Methodist Church. Vivian lived her life to the fullest and was ready to transition into her new place in Christ.
She is survived by a niece Cindy Bohls of Round Rock, Texas and a cousin, Margie Sutton of Evansville, Indiana.
Services will be held at a later time.
Stump Funeral Home of Grantsville WV is in charge of the arrangements.
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