Vivian Gordon Johnson
1926 ~ 2023
Date of Death: January 26, 2023
In profound sadness, the staff of Veasley Funeral Home & Cremations, Inc. want to express our sincere condolences to the Gordon and Johnson families. Vivian’s earthly temple is now resting in the care of Rowell-Parish Mortuary. Revelations 21:4 says, "And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death; nor sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain, for the former things are passed away." Be assured that in the days ahead you will surely gain strength from the memories of Ms. Vivian Louise Gordon Johnson.
Sincerely,
Derrick Veasley ~ Director
Henry Veasley ~ Director
Pastor E.C. Maltbia ~ Chaplain
Mother Vivian Gordon Johnson born to Lewis and Alberta Josephine Gordon on Thursday, September 9, 1926 in Detroit, Michigan. On Thursday, January 26, 2023, she passed on to be with her parents. She was preceded in death by her parents; son: Donald Gordon and 7 siblings. As far back as I can remember, Grammy loved the Lord, and she encouraged her grandkids to lean not to their own understanding but to seek God first. Grammy was very strict when it came to church. The rules were no chewing gum, no short dresses, shirts needed to have sleeves (you could not show bare arms), and she expected kids to sit still. She was very adamant about these rules and would call you out if you didn’t obey. She was also known for making Rice Krispies Treats and handing them out to the kids after church.
Outside of church, Grammy was a hard worker. She spent many years working at the glass company in Pocola. Then she went on to working at Cuco’s where she was in charge of prepping the food for the day. She was so proud of her work there. Once she retired (around age 74) she eventually ended up in Maryland with her granddaughter (Vivian) to help take care of her great-grandchild, Morgan. She traveled with her granddaughter and husband (Michael) throughout the Caribbean tasting different flavors and comparing their food to hers. The final leg of her journey was in Pocola at the Pocola Health and Rehabilitation Nursing Home, where Grammy spread her wisdom and feistiness throughout the location. I once told her to be nice at the nursing home because I didn’t want to get any more phone calls about her getting into altercations with her peers. Overall, Grammy touched everyone’s lives differently and made a lasting impact. Even in her last days, she would tell the ladies at the nursing home how pretty they were. She leaves to cherish her memory her sons: Ronald Gordon of Catonsville, Maryland and Stanley Rawlins of Pocola, Oklahoma; siblings: Kenneth Gordon, Sr. of Cinnaminson, New Jersey, Wade Gordon of Houston, Texas, Caresse (Henry) Burris of Spiro, Oklahoma and Paul Gordon, Sr. of Fort Smith, Arkansas and a host of grand, great and great great-grandkids, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Rest in peace Grand-mama-mama.
Walk-through visitation will be Friday, February 10, 2023 from 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at Rowell-Parish Mortuary 611 North 9th Street Fort Smith, Arkansas 72901.
Celebration of life service will be held Saturday, February 11, 2023 at 11 a.m. at Union Missionary Baptist Church 104 Clark Street Pocola, Oklahoma 74902.
Committal service and final resting place will be at the Laird Cemetery Pocola, Oklahoma.
