Gladys Viola Means

After a valiant and heroic effort over the last two-and-a-half months to fight back after hip surgery and an ensuing infection, Viola Means lost the battle, but won the war, and now rests in the arms of Jesus. She passed peacefully at home surrounded by her family on Saturday, August 12, 2017.A Graveside Service will be held on Saturday, August 19, 2017, at 10 a.m. at Memory Gardens of the Valley in Weatherford, officiated by Rev. Don Bloodworth.  White's Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.(Gladys) Viola Greer Means was born in Levelland on April 10, 1930 to Robert and Ethel (Brock) Greer. The family moved to Weatherford when Viola was 13, and then to Garner where she loved to play basketball. She graduated from Garner as Salutatorian in 1947.Viola met her future husband, Wesley Means, when she was a nurse and he was a patient at the Medical Surgical Clinic in Weatherford. They married in 1951.In 1952, Wesley joined the U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey and Wesley, Viola and their subsequent five children spent the next 17 years traveling around the United States with his job as a surveyor for the government.In 1969, Viola moved the children back to their hometown of Weatherford so they could finish school in one place. At that time, Viola became very involved in their church, Hilltop Baptist, where she served as hostess for the next forty years, as well as Treasurer and Sunday School teacher.Viola also joined and served in several local clubs, including the 20th Century Club, Navy Mothers and the Garden Club. She also worked part-time through the years at The Book Case and Happy Feet. Viola made friends wherever she went and was loved by all.In 2012, Viola and Wesley moved to Valley Center, California, to live with their daughter, Phyllis, and her husband, Roy, where they have joyfully spent the last five years.Preceding her in death were her beloved sons, Randall Means and Wesley Means; as well as her parents and all of her siblings, who adored her: Lettie Goff, Robert Greer, Truman Greer, Homer (Lee) Greer and Bernice Greer.Viola is survived by her devoted husband of 66 years, Wesley, of Valley Center, CA; son, Gary Means of Weatherford; son, Russell Means, and his wife, Donna, of Houston; and daughter and “son” Phyllis and Roy Knight of Valley Center, CA. She also was a loving Memaw to seven grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren and the adored Aunt Viola of numerous nieces and nephews.Those are the facts. Here at the truths.It is hard to capture my mom’s vibrant personality in words. It’s akin to trying to describe the Grand Canyon to someone who has never seen it. It’s majesty and beauty can’t be captured on paper or by mere words, it has to be experienced in person to appreciate it. Otherwise, it’s like describing it as a big, pretty ditch.She made friends wherever she went.Since I mentioned the Grand Canyon, and it is one of the Seven Wonders of the Natural World, I thought it would be apropos to list seven wonders of my mom that have naturally made her such a wonderful part of the world.Giving, Forgiving, Loving, Sacrificing, Determined, Resourceful, JoyfulHer children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her. Proverbs 31:28