Viola Yeldell Smith's Obituary
Viola Yeldell Smith (known as Lady Vi to Past o r Mike and Ms. Vi to most of us) was born in Eureka, Texas on April 8, 1934 to Starling and Sue Allie Marshall Yeldell. She went home to be with the Lord on Sep 27, 2021.
Lady Vi' s father was the grandson of a slave named Starling Yeldell who was born in Am erica in 16 30. Her parents raised their family of twelve children with strong Christian val u es. As a result of these values and the grace and mercy of God, Ms. Vi' s family rose to a degree of prominence and respect despite the social conditions prevalent during the Jim Crow era. Racial barriers limited, but did not stop, the Yeldells' social and economic success. M s. Viola' s father was able to send his children to college (who desired an education). He acquired land and livestock. The generations who were later born into this notable family tree include community and business leaders, nationally known religious leaders, and prayer war riors, like Ms. Vi.
Ms. Vi attended Huston-Tillotson College for three years until it was not feasible financially to continue her studies. Joining the military became an opt ion, and she did so on June 25,1959, training and serving in the medical corps at Fort Sam Houston. She received an honorable discharge on Oct 29, 1960.
Ms. Vi worked for the US Post Office for 44 years before retiring. Her tenure there was marked by punctuality, fellowship with co-workers, leadership in serving the Dallas community through postal service sponsored events and in prayer. Ms. Vi was instrumental in obtaining legal assistance to force the Post Office to permit prayer meetings during lunch or breaks. She received approval and continued praying there until retirement.
Ms. Vi was a member of Church in the City (CITC) under Pastors Michael and Vicki Hankins for over 28 year s. Her testimony was that she strayed from her Christian roots until April 19, 1993. On that day, while driving east on Interstate 30, Ms. Viola heard over the radio that David Koresh's Mount Carmel Center had caught fire. Barricaded inside the building, 79 Branch Davidians perished in the blaze, including 21 children under the age of 16. God used this tragedy to reach Ms. Vi's heart, and she was gloriously reconciled to God and drawn to the local church body, Church on the Rock. She was truly planted in the House of God and moved with Pastors Mike and Vicki to the present location of Church in the City. At Church in the City, Ms. Viola became a true disciple of Christ as demonstrated by her attendance at Bible studies; participation in the choir; and fervent prayers. Ms. Vi became proof that we can be reconciled to Christ. As a result of this relationship with the divine, we can be reconciled
with others including family and true believers from different racial and ethnic backgrounds.
Ms. Viola was proceeded in death by her parents Starling and Sue Allie Marshall Yeldell and her siblings Lola Yeldell Johnson, Clyde Yeldell, Cleveland Yeldell, Raymond Yeldell, Olivia Yeldell Hillery, Starling Yeldell Jr ., Katie B. Yeldell, Jessie Mae Yeldell Jefferson, Diane Yeldell Page, Nokomis Yeldell and Nina Yeldell Manning. She leaves to mourn a host of nieces, nephews, extended family and church family including personal devoted friends
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