Vivian Wise

Arcadia - Vivian Annett Wise was born to Joe Marshall and Dosey Lewis Doss on September 5, 1923, in Dubach, LA. She was the fourth youngest of 11 children who were raised in Simsboro, LA. Vivian passed peacefully on January 14, 2018, at the age of 94 at Southland Care Center in Norwalk, CA, where she has been a resident for the past three years. When Vivian was 17, she met the love of her life, William Henry Wise. They were married on March 31, 1941, in Bossier City, LA, after a three-month courtship. They established their first home on New Orleans AFB, LA and throughout their marriage lived on Barksdale AFB, LA (where daughter, Deathra Annette, was born); Greenville AFB, SC (where son, Burt Allen, was born); and Greenville, NC (where son, Fred Henry, was born). Bill was sent to Goose Bay, Labrador for a year assignment, so Vivian and the children went to live with her father in Simsboro. Upon Bill's return from Labrador, the family moved to Eglin AFB, FL where Vivian became a teacher at Eglin AFB Kindergarten for the next eight years, ultimately becoming the Director. In 1967, the couple moved to Topeka, KS before heading to the Philippines for Bill's job. They retired in 1970, established their home in Arcadia, LA, and became members of the Alabama Baptist Church. Vivian and Bill spent 61 years together until Bill passed away in 2002, at the age of 84. Vivian remained in her home until 2008, before moving to Cerritos, CA to live with her daughter and son-in-law. Vivian enjoyed cooking, fishing, reading romance novels and watching the Dallas Cowboys play football. She loved shelling peas, taking corn off-the-cob, growing tomatoes, and making jarred jellies and tomato juice. Her freezer was always full of food, ready to prepare for family or friends who just happened to stop by. She was a cheerleader in high school and was in a beauty contest as a teenager. Her liver mush and divinity fudge recipes have been passed down for generations. Mostly, Vivian enjoyed being surrounded by family and friends and reminiscing about all the fabulous memories created throughout her life. She is survived by her daughter, Deathra (Mike) Van Scoy of Cerritos, CA; her son, Burt (Eileen) Wise of Miramar Beach, FL; her daughter-in-law LaDean Wise; eight grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; six step great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her son, Fred; her husband Bill; and her 10 siblings. Visitation will be held from 5:00 - 8:00 pm on Friday, February 2, 2018, at Rose-Neath Funeral Home in Arcadia, LA. Funeral services will be at 2:00 pm on Saturday, February 3, 2018, at Alabama Baptist Church. Vivian will be laid to rest next to Bill and Fred in a graveside service at the Simsboro Cemetery in Simsboro, LA, immediately following church services. A gathering of family and friends will be hosted by Alabama Baptist Church following the burial. Flowers will be accepted and it is Vivian's wishes that donations be made to the Alabama Baptist Church, 16061 Hwy. 151, Arcadia, LA 71001. There will be a celebration of Vivian's life held at Downey First Christian Church, Downey, CA at a later date. Expressions of sympathy may be viewed or submitted online at www.rose-neath.com.