Viola Pearl Black

Viola Black, 108, of Pocatello, passed away peacefully, Thursday, May 15, 2014 at a local rehab and care center. Viola was born September 9, 1905, in Yakima, Washington, to John and Meda Applegate. She was the oldest of five siblings; Orma, Alfred, Johnny and Mary.

At an early age her family moved to Nampa, Idaho where she attended elementary and high school. After graduation, she attended Lewiston Normal School where she earned a teaching certificate. She taught in a one room class room grades 1-8 in Challis and Lemhi, Idaho and then she taught 1st grade in Salmon, Idaho. She retired from teaching in 1940 stating "I was too old and didn't have any business working with the young kids."

Viola and Perry were married August 12, 1929 in Spokane, Washington. They bought their home on "the Bar" in Salmon in 1930. They later moved to Pocatello in 1942 where Perry was working as a carpenter for Morrison Knuson at the construction site of the Naval Ordinance Plant. After Perry's death in 1961, she went to work at the sassy, dress shop, Camille's and The Paris. She retired in 1974.

Viola spent many hours making porcelain ceramic figurines, crocheting; dollies, table clothes and bed spreads. However, her pride and joy was her yard in which she won the Golden Arrow Award.
Viola was a very active member in the Trinity Episcopal Church. There were not many Sunday services' that she missed and that was only because the snow was so deep that her pride and joy the "67" Mustang was unable to jump over the snow drift…but she tried.

Viola was preceded in death by: her husband, Perry, her parents, John and Meda Applegate, two sisters; Orma Ord and Mary Rember, two brothers; Alfred and Johnny Applegate, grandson, Douglas J. Black, daughter-in-law, Peggie Black and granddaughter, Jessie Frasure.

Viola is survived by: a son, James Black, Pocatello, four grandchildren; Michelle Campbell, Pocatello, Pam (Chris) Lindemann, Silver City, Cindy Morrison, West Virginia, seven step-grandchildren; George (Kamala) Southworth, Boise, Paul (Linda) Southworth, Pocatello, Craig (Jennet) Southworth, Mona, Ut., Rhonda (Jon) Wilker, Eureka, NV., Matt (Heidi) Dohse, Belview, Id./New York, Sharon (Kirk) Collins Dohse, Bellview, Id., Andrea (Scott) Searcy, Iowa, 21 great-great grandchildren, 13 great-great-great-grandchildren, and a niece, Sharon (David) Reed, Caldwell/Mesa, Az.

Viola's family would like to thank SEICCA Meals on Wheels, Family Home and Health Care, Dr. LaVonne Mills, Quinn Meadows Rehab and Care Center and Heritage Home Health Care and Hospice for all of their kind and loving care they gave to Viola.

Graveside services will be held at 11 a.m., Tuesday, May 20, 2014 at Restlawn Memorial Gardens, 2864 S 5th Ave, Pocatello, ID. Arrangements are under the care and direction of Wilks Funeral Home, 211 W. Chubbuck Rd., Chubbuck, ID. Condolences may be sent to Viola's family online at www.wilksfuneralhome.com

If you choose, in lieu of flowers, please make a donation to your favorite charity.

Just a passing thought, after all of these years she finally got her "WINGS". Looking back at her life, when she was born, Theodore Roosevelt was president, then in 1930 the Great Depression, the invention of radio, television, computer, the telephone and "cell" phones, transportation from the horse and buggy to the modern hybrid cars, the old prop driven bi-planes, jets, flights to the moon and beyond, the wars, first, second, Korean, Vietnam and now the present conflicts.