Funeral Service for Violet Laverne Cessna, 80 of Spiro, Oklahoma will be at 2:00pm on Sunday, April 16, 2023 at Victory Worship Center in Spiro, Oklahoma with Reverend Bryan Fouts officiating. Services are under the direction of Mallory-Martin Funeral Home in Spiro, Oklahoma. Viewing will be 2:00pm-7:00pm Saturday with the family visiting with friends from 5:00pm-7:00pm at the funeral home.
Violet Laverne Foster-Cessna was born on April 28, 1942 in Bokoshe, Oklahoma to Mona Ann Myrrah (Barrick) and John Albert Joe Cephus Whitecotton. The story of her birth, as told to her by her mother was that she had plowed the field, came into the house, went to the kitchen and delivered Violet on the kitchen floor. Mona cleaned her up and fed her, then went back outside and milked the cow.
At the age of 1 1/2 she had just started to walk and began falling down. It was discovered that she had polio. The doctors wanted to keep her in the hospital in Fort Smith Arkansas, but her mother wanted to take her home. The country doctor in Bokoshe, Dr. Burns, told her mother that she needed to rub warm olive oil on her legs every night and make sure she gets lots of sunshine. Her older sister, Patricia, pulled her around in a red wagon outside so she could get the sun shine, while her mother rubbed the warm olive oil on her legs for 30 minutes every night. It took six months, but she recovered from the polio and regained her ability to walk.
At the age of 17, Violet met Leslie James Foster at a dance in Bokoshe. Shortly after meeting, they were married and moved to California where they had their first child Leisa. In June 1960 they left California and returned to Oklahoma.
Soon after her second child Steven was born, she earned her GED and then began attending cosmetology school. After completing school and gaining her beauticians license, she had her third child, Tammala. Shortly after the birth of her daughter, she opened her own salon in Fort Smith, Arkansas. She was eventually forced to sell her shop and retire from cosmetology when she developed severe allergies to the chemicals in the salon.
She enjoyed bowling and played on various teams and leagues with her husband and friends. Violet was an exceptional bowler and traveled competing in regional and national tournaments including doubles competitions with her daughter Leisa as her partner. She was approached on numerous occasions to become a professional bowler but chose to remain close to home to raise her children.
A year after selling her salon, her husband passed away in a deer hunting accident and she had to begin working outside of the home. She worked as a snack bar attendant and bartender at Park Lanes bowling alley, then became a bartender in Fort Smith for many years.
During her time as a bartender in Fort Smith she developed a love for shooting pool. Vi was the top league shooter many seasons, and could out shoot anyone including the men. All of her grandkids have fond memories of watching her shoot pool.
After several years as a bartender she went on to work at Ayers furniture factory. Then in 1995 she found her most rewarding job as a cook at Saint Scholastica monastery where she became a friend to all of the sisters before retiring in 2010 to become a full-time Mammaw and Nana.
She knew people from all walks of life, and saw the good in everyone, and loved them for who they were. She never met a stranger and was a friend to everyone. She was a very good listener, and a mighty strong woman. First and foremost her entire family was the love of her life.
At the end of her life, her final wish was to tell all of her grandkids goodbye and that she loved them. All of her grandkids were able to make her wish come true. She passed away peacefully at home surrounded by love on April 11, 2023 in Spiro, Oklahoma.
She was preceded in death by her parents Mona Ann Myrrah (Barrick) and John Albert Joe Cephus Whitecotton; husband, Leslie James Foster; son-in-law, Al "Luicious" Garcia; grandson, Branden Peters; father and mother-in-law, Walter Branch and Gladys Foster; sisters, Inell Peerson, Dica Blair, Judy Carver; brothers, Jake Whitecotton, Beacher Whitecotton, and Joe Whitecotton.
Survivors include her daughters, Leisa Garcia, Tammala and Matthew Cox; son, Steven and Tina Foster; grandchildren, Tifani and Juan Vazquez, Christopher and Amanda Garcia, Leslie and Amanda Foster, Amanda and Dennis Lee, Jessica Foster, Clarissa Cox, Lyndsey Cox and fiancé Bradley, Ashlyn Cox; 15 great grandchildren; 3 great-great grandchildren with one on the way; sisters Patricia and the Late Tommy Shimp, Caroletta and Eddie Cooper; brother, Dale and Peggy Whitecotton; as well as numerous nieces, nephews other relatives and loved ones.
Violet Laverne Foster-Cessna was born on April 28, 1942 in Bokoshe, Oklahoma to Mona Ann Myrrah (Barrick) and John Albert Joe Cephus Whitecotton. The story of her birth, as told to her by her mother was that she had plowed the field, came into the house, went to the kitchen and delivered Violet on the kitchen floor. Mona cleaned her up and fed her, then went back outside and milked the cow.
At the age of 1 1/2 she had just started to walk and began falling down. It was discovered that she had polio. The doctors wanted to keep her in the hospital in Fort Smith Arkansas, but her mother wanted to take her home. The country doctor in Bokoshe, Dr. Burns, told her mother that she needed to rub warm olive oil on her legs every night and make sure she gets lots of sunshine. Her older sister, Patricia, pulled her around in a red wagon outside so she could get the sun shine, while her mother rubbed the warm olive oil on her legs for 30 minutes every night. It took six months, but she recovered from the polio and regained her ability to walk.
At the age of 17, Violet met Leslie James Foster at a dance in Bokoshe. Shortly after meeting, they were married and moved to California where they had their first child Leisa. In June 1960 they left California and returned to Oklahoma.
Soon after her second child Steven was born, she earned her GED and then began attending cosmetology school. After completing school and gaining her beauticians license, she had her third child, Tammala. Shortly after the birth of her daughter, she opened her own salon in Fort Smith, Arkansas. She was eventually forced to sell her shop and retire from cosmetology when she developed severe allergies to the chemicals in the salon.
She enjoyed bowling and played on various teams and leagues with her husband and friends. Violet was an exceptional bowler and traveled competing in regional and national tournaments including doubles competitions with her daughter Leisa as her partner. She was approached on numerous occasions to become a professional bowler but chose to remain close to home to raise her children.
A year after selling her salon, her husband passed away in a deer hunting accident and she had to begin working outside of the home. She worked as a snack bar attendant and bartender at Park Lanes bowling alley, then became a bartender in Fort Smith for many years.
During her time as a bartender in Fort Smith she developed a love for shooting pool. Vi was the top league shooter many seasons, and could out shoot anyone including the men. All of her grandkids have fond memories of watching her shoot pool.
After several years as a bartender she went on to work at Ayers furniture factory. Then in 1995 she found her most rewarding job as a cook at Saint Scholastica monastery where she became a friend to all of the sisters before retiring in 2010 to become a full-time Mammaw and Nana.
She knew people from all walks of life, and saw the good in everyone, and loved them for who they were. She never met a stranger and was a friend to everyone. She was a very good listener, and a mighty strong woman. First and foremost her entire family was the love of her life.
At the end of her life, her final wish was to tell all of her grandkids goodbye and that she loved them. All of her grandkids were able to make her wish come true. She passed away peacefully at home surrounded by love on April 11, 2023 in Spiro, Oklahoma.
She was preceded in death by her parents Mona Ann Myrrah (Barrick) and John Albert Joe Cephus Whitecotton; husband, Leslie James Foster; son-in-law, Al "Luicious" Garcia; grandson, Branden Peters; father and mother-in-law, Walter Branch and Gladys Foster; sisters, Inell Peerson, Dica Blair, Judy Carver; brothers, Jake Whitecotton, Beacher Whitecotton, and Joe Whitecotton.
Survivors include her daughters, Leisa Garcia, Tammala and Matthew Cox; son, Steven and Tina Foster; grandchildren, Tifani and Juan Vazquez, Christopher and Amanda Garcia, Leslie and Amanda Foster, Amanda and Dennis Lee, Jessica Foster, Clarissa Cox, Lyndsey Cox and fiancé Bradley, Ashlyn Cox; 15 great grandchildren; 3 great-great grandchildren with one on the way; sisters Patricia and the Late Tommy Shimp, Caroletta and Eddie Cooper; brother, Dale and Peggy Whitecotton; as well as numerous nieces, nephews other relatives and loved ones.
Funeral Service for Violet Laverne Cessna, 80 of Spiro, Oklahoma will be at 2:00pm on Sunday, April 16, 2023 at Victory Worship Center in Spiro, Oklahoma with Reverend Bryan Fouts officiating. Services are under the direction of Mallory-Martin Funeral Home in Spiro, Oklahoma. Viewing will be 2:00pm-7:00pm Saturday with the family visiting with friends from 5:00pm-7:00pm at the funeral home.
Violet Laverne Foster-Cessna was born on April 28, 1942 in Bokoshe, Oklahoma to Mona Ann Myrrah (Barrick) and John Albert Joe Cephus Whitecotton. The story of her birth, as told to her by her mother was that she had plowed the field, came into the house, went to the kitchen and delivered Violet on the kitchen floor. Mona cleaned her up and fed her, then went back outside and milked the cow.
At the age of 1 1/2 she had just started to walk and began falling down. It was discovered that she had polio. The doctors wanted to keep her in the hospital in Fort Smith Arkansas, but her mother wanted to take her home. The country doctor in Bokoshe, Dr. Burns, told her mother that she needed to rub warm olive oil on her legs every night and make sure she gets lots of sunshine. Her older sister, Patricia, pulled her around in a red wagon outside so she could get the sun shine, while her mother rubbed the warm olive oil on her legs for 30 minutes every night. It took six months, but she recovered from the polio and regained her ability to walk.
At the age of 17, Violet met Leslie James Foster at a dance in Bokoshe. Shortly after meeting, they were married and moved to California where they had their first child Leisa. In June 1960 they left California and returned to Oklahoma.
Soon after her second child Steven was born, she earned her GED and then began attending cosmetology school. After completing school and gaining her beauticians license, she had her third child, Tammala. Shortly after the birth of her daughter, she opened her own salon in Fort Smith, Arkansas. She was eventually forced to sell her shop and retire from cosmetology when she developed severe allergies to the chemicals in the salon.
She enjoyed bowling and played on various teams and leagues with her husband and friends. Violet was an exceptional bowler and traveled competing in regional and national tournaments including doubles competitions with her daughter Leisa as her partner. She was approached on numerous occasions to become a professional bowler but chose to remain close to home to raise her children.
A year after selling her salon, her husband passed away in a deer hunting accident and she had to begin working outside of the home. She worked as a snack bar attendant and bartender at Park Lanes bowling alley, then became a bartender in Fort Smith for many years.
During her time as a bartender in Fort Smith she developed a love for shooting pool. Vi was the top league shooter many seasons, and could out shoot anyone including the men. All of her grandkids have fond memories of watching her shoot pool.
After several years as a bartender she went on to work at Ayers furniture factory. Then in 1995 she found her most rewarding job as a cook at Saint Scholastica monastery where she became a friend to all of the sisters before retiring in 2010 to become a full-time Mammaw and Nana.
She knew people from all walks of life, and saw the good in everyone, and loved them for who they were. She never met a stranger and was a friend to everyone. She was a very good listener, and a mighty strong woman. First and foremost her entire family was the love of her life.
At the end of her life, her final wish was to tell all of her grandkids goodbye and that she loved them. All of her grandkids were able to make her wish come true. She passed away peacefully at home surrounded by love on April 11, 2023 in Spiro, Oklahoma.
She was preceded in death by her parents Mona Ann Myrrah (Barrick) and John Albert Joe Cephus Whitecotton; husband, Leslie James Foster; son-in-law, Al "Luicious" Garcia; grandson, Branden Peters; father and mother-in-law, Walter Branch and Gladys Foster; sisters, Inell Peerson, Dica Blair, Judy Carver; brothers, Jake Whitecotton, Beacher Whitecotton, and Joe Whitecotton.
Survivors include her daughters, Leisa Garcia, Tammala and Matthew Cox; son, Steven and Tina Foster; grandchildren, Tifani and Juan Vazquez, Christopher and Amanda Garcia, Leslie and Amanda Foster, Amanda and Dennis Lee, Jessica Foster, Clarissa Cox, Lyndsey Cox and fiancé Bradley, Ashlyn Cox; 15 great grandchildren; 3 great-great grandchildren with one on the way; sisters Patricia and the Late Tommy Shimp, Caroletta and Eddie Cooper; brother, Dale and Peggy Whitecotton; as well as numerous nieces, nephews other relatives and loved ones.
Violet Laverne Foster-Cessna was born on April 28, 1942 in Bokoshe, Oklahoma to Mona Ann Myrrah (Barrick) and John Albert Joe Cephus Whitecotton. The story of her birth, as told to her by her mother was that she had plowed the field, came into the house, went to the kitchen and delivered Violet on the kitchen floor. Mona cleaned her up and fed her, then went back outside and milked the cow.
At the age of 1 1/2 she had just started to walk and began falling down. It was discovered that she had polio. The doctors wanted to keep her in the hospital in Fort Smith Arkansas, but her mother wanted to take her home. The country doctor in Bokoshe, Dr. Burns, told her mother that she needed to rub warm olive oil on her legs every night and make sure she gets lots of sunshine. Her older sister, Patricia, pulled her around in a red wagon outside so she could get the sun shine, while her mother rubbed the warm olive oil on her legs for 30 minutes every night. It took six months, but she recovered from the polio and regained her ability to walk.
At the age of 17, Violet met Leslie James Foster at a dance in Bokoshe. Shortly after meeting, they were married and moved to California where they had their first child Leisa. In June 1960 they left California and returned to Oklahoma.
Soon after her second child Steven was born, she earned her GED and then began attending cosmetology school. After completing school and gaining her beauticians license, she had her third child, Tammala. Shortly after the birth of her daughter, she opened her own salon in Fort Smith, Arkansas. She was eventually forced to sell her shop and retire from cosmetology when she developed severe allergies to the chemicals in the salon.
She enjoyed bowling and played on various teams and leagues with her husband and friends. Violet was an exceptional bowler and traveled competing in regional and national tournaments including doubles competitions with her daughter Leisa as her partner. She was approached on numerous occasions to become a professional bowler but chose to remain close to home to raise her children.
A year after selling her salon, her husband passed away in a deer hunting accident and she had to begin working outside of the home. She worked as a snack bar attendant and bartender at Park Lanes bowling alley, then became a bartender in Fort Smith for many years.
During her time as a bartender in Fort Smith she developed a love for shooting pool. Vi was the top league shooter many seasons, and could out shoot anyone including the men. All of her grandkids have fond memories of watching her shoot pool.
After several years as a bartender she went on to work at Ayers furniture factory. Then in 1995 she found her most rewarding job as a cook at Saint Scholastica monastery where she became a friend to all of the sisters before retiring in 2010 to become a full-time Mammaw and Nana.
She knew people from all walks of life, and saw the good in everyone, and loved them for who they were. She never met a stranger and was a friend to everyone. She was a very good listener, and a mighty strong woman. First and foremost her entire family was the love of her life.
At the end of her life, her final wish was to tell all of her grandkids goodbye and that she loved them. All of her grandkids were able to make her wish come true. She passed away peacefully at home surrounded by love on April 11, 2023 in Spiro, Oklahoma.
She was preceded in death by her parents Mona Ann Myrrah (Barrick) and John Albert Joe Cephus Whitecotton; husband, Leslie James Foster; son-in-law, Al "Luicious" Garcia; grandson, Branden Peters; father and mother-in-law, Walter Branch and Gladys Foster; sisters, Inell Peerson, Dica Blair, Judy Carver; brothers, Jake Whitecotton, Beacher Whitecotton, and Joe Whitecotton.
Survivors include her daughters, Leisa Garcia, Tammala and Matthew Cox; son, Steven and Tina Foster; grandchildren, Tifani and Juan Vazquez, Christopher and Amanda Garcia, Leslie and Amanda Foster, Amanda and Dennis Lee, Jessica Foster, Clarissa Cox, Lyndsey Cox and fiancé Bradley, Ashlyn Cox; 15 great grandchildren; 3 great-great grandchildren with one on the way; sisters Patricia and the Late Tommy Shimp, Caroletta and Eddie Cooper; brother, Dale and Peggy Whitecotton; as well as numerous nieces, nephews other relatives and loved ones.
Gravesite Details
her husband is buried here at Garland Cemetery. Her parents are buried at Milton Cemetery
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