Obituary for Violet Jean Hillis
Violet Jean Harris,81, resident of Woodlawn, Tennessee passed away, Friday, June 24, 2022, at Select Specialty Hospital in Nashville, Tennessee.
Violet was born in Lowell, Arizona on October 14, 1940, to Ollie Weaver and Ona Mae Lovett. While her birth name was weaver she was raised by her grandparents, Samuel and Josephine Lovett and soon adopted their last name as her own.
Violet acquired her faith in the Lord at a young age as her grandfather Samuel was a Pentecostal Preacher. She spent her days listening to gospel music and reading from her large collection of books. Violet also enjoyed watching Gospel programs on TV, playing her piano, and crocheting when we were able.
Violet filled her days and nights caring for her husband, raising nine children and several grandchildren. Her first job outside the home was at the sewing factory in Hollis, Oklahoma. She also was a cook at her cousins’ restaurant, Happy Steak. In 1983 she started her caregiving career as a nurse’s aide for Colonial Manor II, she also worked as an in-home caregiver for Arvela Massey. Upon Arvela’s death she returned to work for Colonial Manor II as a nurse’s aide, then as a cook in the kitchen until her retirement at 65.
Violet married Sewell Hillis in 1964, both bringing children from previous marriages for an instant family of eight, together they had three more children making for a very busy household. Momma wouldn’t have it any other way.
Violet moved to Tennessee to live with her daughter, Pam, and husband Sam in 2011. Violet always yearned to travel, and they gained great joy in taking her to visit family on the West Coast, to peer over the edges of the Grand Canyon, to admire our Nations Capitol, and dip her toes in the Atlantic Ocean.
Violet is preceded in death by her grandparents, Samuel, and Josephine Lovett; Mother, Ona Mae Kennedy; Husband Sewell Hillis; Daughters, Carla Faye Tabor, and Karen Mae Sanders; Grandsons, Dustin Wheeler, Robert Hillis; Daughter-in-law, Geraldine Hillis.
She is survived by her sons Bobby Hillis of Hollis, Danny Hillis of Cordell, Oklahoma, Jimmy Tankersley and wife Alice of Hollis, Bryan Hillis of Wichita Falls, Texas, and Preston Hillis and wife Lindsey of Clarksville, Tennessee; Daughters, Cassandra Hooper and husband Jim of Eldorado, Oklahoma, and Pamela Wheeler and husband Samuel of Woodlawn, Tennessee; Ten grandsons, Mark, Jason, Jeremy, Ryan, John, Timothy, Christopher, Daniel, Jonathan, and Bentley; Six granddaughters, Michelle, Megan, Crystal, Shaundra, Sophia, and Oakley; Several great grandchildren, as well and four brothers, two sisters and numerous other family members and friends.
Violet will be greatly missed as she was the fabric and glue that held this family together! Violet now resides among the angels.
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Violet was born in Lowell, Arizona on October 14, 1940, to Ollie Weaver and Ona Mae Lovett. While her birth name was weaver she was raised by her grandparents, Samuel and Josephine Lovett and soon adopted their last name as her own.
Violet acquired her faith in the Lord at a young age as her grandfather Samuel was a Pentecostal Preacher. She spent her days listening to gospel music and reading from her large collection of books. Violet also enjoyed watching Gospel programs on TV, playing her piano, and crocheting when we were able.
Violet filled her days and nights caring for her husband, raising nine children and several grandchildren. Her first job outside the home was at the sewing factory in Hollis, Oklahoma. She also was a cook at her cousins’ restaurant, Happy Steak. In 1983 she started her caregiving career as a nurse’s aide for Colonial Manor II, she also worked as an in-home caregiver for Arvela Massey. Upon Arvela’s death she returned to work for Colonial Manor II as a nurse’s aide, then as a cook in the kitchen until her retirement at 65.
Violet married Sewell Hillis in 1964, both bringing children from previous marriages for an instant family of eight, together they had three more children making for a very busy household. Momma wouldn’t have it any other way.
Violet moved to Tennessee to live with her daughter, Pam, and husband Sam in 2011. Violet always yearned to travel, and they gained great joy in taking her to visit family on the West Coast, to peer over the edges of the Grand Canyon, to admire our Nations Capitol, and dip her toes in the Atlantic Ocean.
Violet is preceded in death by her grandparents, Samuel, and Josephine Lovett; Mother, Ona Mae Kennedy; Husband Sewell Hillis; Daughters, Carla Faye Tabor, and Karen Mae Sanders; Grandsons, Dustin Wheeler, Robert Hillis; Daughter-in-law, Geraldine Hillis.
She is survived by her sons Bobby Hillis of Hollis, Danny Hillis of Cordell, Oklahoma, Jimmy Tankersley and wife Alice of Hollis, Bryan Hillis of Wichita Falls, Texas, and Preston Hillis and wife Lindsey of Clarksville, Tennessee; Daughters, Cassandra Hooper and husband Jim of Eldorado, Oklahoma, and Pamela Wheeler and husband Samuel of Woodlawn, Tennessee; Ten grandsons, Mark, Jason, Jeremy, Ryan, John, Timothy, Christopher, Daniel, Jonathan, and Bentley; Six granddaughters, Michelle, Megan, Crystal, Shaundra, Sophia, and Oakley; Several great grandchildren, as well and four brothers, two sisters and numerous other family members and friends.
Violet will be greatly missed as she was the fabric and glue that held this family together! Violet now resides among the angels.
To send flowers in memory of Violet Jean Hillis, visit the Tribute Store.
Previous Events
Visitation
Thursday
30
Jun
5:00 PM
- 7:00 PM
Harmon County Funeral Home
417 East Broadway
Hollis, OK 73550
Funeral
Friday
1
Jul
2:00 PM
- 3:00 PM
Harmon County Funeral Home
417 East Broadway
Hollis, OK 73550
Cemetery Details
Location
Westview Cemetery 3 Miles West of Hollis on HW 62
Hollis, OK
Hollis, OK 73550
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