This is the story of a loving little sister that cooked like a chef, cared for others like the best physician, sang, prayed and worshipped like a pastor and loved as an angel from heaven. No one called her mom, at least not out loud – but none doubted the love she showed towards any family or friend. Although, she was an aunt who loved like a mother; she never got to raise her baby boy, she named Roger, who was born too early for this world. There's no way the legacy of Viola Gardenhire Piggee can be captured in words and photo's alone, that's why she lived her life so that her works would speak on their own.

Viola - or "Red" to some and Auntie [Ainee] to others would like to let you know that her work is done.  She received a call, an offer no one can refuse, for an appointment from which she will not be returning. This assignment comes with a huge mansion, one that was prepared especially for her, she knew that it was true or else the Caller wouldn't have told her. For 88 years she labored on earth and not one moment was in vain.  She spoiled child after child – related or not. She cooked, baked and served plate after plate. Everyone waited for holidays on Rutherford St. in Muskogee for family times, and lived for the moments of dominoes, cards, music, peach cobbler and racing cousins in the street past Mrs. Morrison's house to the stop sign.  These memories may have escaped Ainee as Alzheimer's tried to take her mind, but she made her earthly instructions to Cathy and her siblings very plain.

Tell my story dear children – don't you all shed a tear

I was so blessed to have the life I lived and with the new

assignment I was granted all my memories are back and they

are so clear. I am smiling. I am happy. I am reunited with my

dad and I finally get to really meet my mother and son. I am

dancing on the clouds as my sweet husband, Mr. Timothy Piggee

greets me saying "Hey honey."

Picture it, Oklahoma, February 11, 1933:

The final link to the family chain that Abbie Mittie (Maxwell) and Frank Edward Gardenhire created was completed with the birth of a bright skinned, brown-eyed, baby girl they named Viola and lovingly called Red. At an early age the Gardenhire children lost their mother, Abbie Mittie, but they held close to one another and flourished in Dean's Addition Neighborhood on Kalamazoo.

Although Viola didn't grow up with her birthmother by her side, she was blessed to have older sisters to teach her and guide her.  JoAnn and Beatrice taught her to cook and sew.  They made quilts and even did some embroidery.

As far as a formal education, Viola attended school through the 8 ^th grade. After that, she would continue her studies through her father and siblings. She was a quick learner and a very hard worker. She worked cleaning houses and worked side by side with her beloved sister 'Bea' and Bea's husband, Clyde Thompson at the Roxy Theater.

It was also with the Thompson's that Viola and her big brother Frank 'Pap' began to attend and later join Deans Chapel Baptist Church under the leadership of Rev. William Hall. She could be found in the choir singing "Little Wooden Church" and other songs under the leadership of the late great Sis. Norma Mayfield. Viola became the WMU President, a member and President of the Baptist Women WMU Circle, Head of the Culinary Dept., one of the Mothers of the Church and an active member of the Pastor's Aide Committee. Viola made it no secret that she adored her pastor Don Dumas and the entire Dumas family. She loved being able to worship alongside her nephew Deacon Lawrence Thompson and would be so overjoyed when her nephews Clyde, Leonard, Fred, and Elb would also attend. As her health was declining, she would attend Little Rose Missionary Baptist Church with her niece, Cathy; and Little Rose continued to treat her as part of their church family.

She was an active servant in any House of God. But the title she held in great regard was that of a Deaconess. That title meant a lot to her because not only was it a representation of herself  it was also a representation of the husband she loved very much, Deacon Timothy Piggee.

Let's back up a little – to when Tim met Viola. The circumstance and date of the first encounter aren't known, but we know it was a relationship blessed by God.  Viola is quoted in saying "Tim was the love of my life, he was a tall dark cool drink of water." It was in Colorado Springs, CO, on January 22, 1958. She always said her anniversary was easy to remember because it was on her nephew's Fred Harold's birthday and in the year that her niece Cathy and nephew Everett (Elb) were born. The newlyweds moved to Muskogee and started  their long and happy life together at 919 Rutherford.

That house never met a stranger! It was full of laughter and great food. If those kitchen walls could talk it would speak on the delicious turkey and dressing, home made giblet gravy, ham, greens, mac & cheese, chocolate cake, german chocolate cake and sweet potato pie and that awesome peach cobbler. The dining room would speak of chatters and laughter of the children as they gathered and held hands for family prayer before everyone dug in. The extra bedroom might mention the welcoming nature the Piggee's showed towards the children they fostered as well as to family and friends. If only the walls could talk; they would talk about Tim and Viola relaxing in their recliners.

Viola wearing her moo-moo and housecoat, Tim sporting his white muscle shirts with suspenders and trousers, cheering for their beloved Dallas Cowboys; America's Team. That house and porch would tell a story fitting for its own book if it could; filled with the love that was poured into it from house remodels and the 42 years they made memories together.

Tim had open heart surgery and his health slowly began to decline. It was during  that time she decided to retire from the VA Hospital as Supervisor of The Dietary Dept. and devote all her time to his care. The love of her life passed away to await her in Glory on the 3 ^rd of March 2000. It pained her heart to let him go but she gave him his flowers while he lived and always knew they would reunite in Heaven one day.

During her retirement she enjoyed devoting more time to the church and was able to attend the State and National Baptist Congresses with the youth. During the summer holidays she enjoyed refereeing family volleyball games, Slip and slide kickball, playing life guard at the pool, while sitting on the porch swing and laughing. There was never a dull moment when Auntie was around. She could always be found dancing and singing with her nieces and nephews while fussing/cussing out Lawrence Jr.

It was in 2016 as her health began to decline, she had to make the decision with her niece and nephews to live at Pleasant Valley Nursing Center. It was there that the nursing staff would watch her push other residents in a wheelchair, and at times would walk the halls and visit rooms whether invited or not. She called people Boopty Boo in a playful voice and they affectionately said it back to her. The Covid pandemic forced Auntie to be less social, to see her family less, and really made the Alzheimer's disease develop so much faster. We knew the day was coming, as she began to grow tired. She didn't choose the date, but she chose the moment and it was fitting that she did it her way. Ainee slipped into eternal Slumber on Saturday, April 10, 2021 at Pleasant Valley and our hearts wept but also rejoiced. It happened to be on her great nephews' birthday and although she loved all her "kids" equally, she and Brandon, whom she called "teedee baby" had a special connection and as he put it, he wanted to thank God for letting them be forever connected on his birthday.

This is the story of our dear Aunt one that shows perseverance, gratefulness, humbleness and strength. It is who she was—loving--caring—funny—feisty—but above all she was loved.

It feels like a link in the family chain is lost because "Ainee" is gone-but really, it's just broken for just a little while as God calls us Home one by one and the chain links up when our journey is done.

She leaves to cherish her wonderful legacy, her nieces Cathy (Cornelius) Edwards, Cheryl Chatman, Brenda Jo Young, Claudia Stevenson, Frankie Brewer, Shirley Robinson, Deloris Johnson, Bernice Cooper, Patricia Lawrence and a special niece, Janet Mondaine. Her nephews, Frederick Thompson, Leonard (Robyn) Thompson, Lawrence (Latressia) Thompson, Wayne Thompson and Everett (Sherry) Gardenhire. Her Sister-in-law, Louella Gardenhire, great nieces, great-great nieces, great-great-great nieces, great nephews, great-great nephews and great-great-great nephews, cousins and a host of family and friends.

Those that Viola has reunited with are: The love of her life, Timothy Piggee, her son Roger, her parents Frank and Abbie Mittie Gardenhire, her siblings: Martha, Frank J "RC", Lillie Bell "JoAnn", Ben, Clifford "Butch", Ruth, John "James" D, Beatrice "Bea" and Frank Edward "Pap".

A Home Going Celebration will be conducted, Thursday, April 15th at 10:00 a.m. in Oasis Community Church, 800 W. Peak Blvd. Muskogee,OK with Rev. Sir Michael Ragsdale, eulogizing.  Interment will follow in Ft Gibson National cemetery.  Public visitation, Wednesday, April 14th in the Precious Memories Chapel of House of Winn Funeral Home-Muskogee,  beginning at 1:00 P.M. until 5:00 P.M. followed by WAKE service until 6:00 P.M.

SERVICES STREAMED:  Facebook Live....  Spiritual Sister

FACE  MASKS MANDATORY AT ALL SERVICES

The family has been cared for by House of Winn Funeral Home-Muskogee.