Vivian Martha Henley was born April 16, 1917 in Goodhope, Missouri, to Fred Orla Bricker and Ruth Anna Jane Pond Bricker. Following her mother’s early death, Vivian and her siblings had a difficult childhood which at times took her away from the Goodhope area staying with various relatives. After her teenage stay with a favorite cousin’s family in St. Joseph, she returned to Ava, Missouri. She there met and then married Raymond W. Henley in 1937 at West Plains. Wed until his death in 1999, they had made their home in Springfield since the early 1950s. Vivian passed December 16, 2013, at age 96 at Cox Hospital while working hard to recover from recent surgery.
Vivian was predeceased by her parents, husband, brother Everett Bricker, sisters Gladys Smith and Evelyn Austin, and by two half-siblings, Charles Bricker and very recently, Irene Richards. Surviving are her children, Lloyd Henley (Janet) of Springfield and Susan Montgomery (Ed) of St. Charles. She also leaves grandchildren Ryan Montgomery of Fenton, Lori Shrum (Mark) of Wentzville, Rachel Burch (Matt) of Springfield, and Jim Henley (Jamie), State of Ohio, and eight great-grandchildren. Also remaining are two half-brothers, Raymond Bricker of Ava, and Johnnie Bricker, State of Texas.
Vivian was able to do much with little in the household and the raising of her children, known for great skill in her sewing and cooking abilities. Despite near blindness for years, and with determination that brought her through highly challenging medical recoveries, Vivian was able to care for Raymond, and then live on her own and provide for many of her own needs. The family is especially grateful for the skillful care she received through the years from the medical professionals of Cox Health, the home care providers of Oxford, her Wolfner librarian, SMOA and others who allowed Vivian’s sharp mind, wit and independent spirit persist until the very end.
Visitation is planned for 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, December 19, at Greenlawn Funeral Home North, 3506 N. National, with graveside services at 3:00 p.m. Friday in adjacent Greenlawn Memorial Gardens, led by the Rev. Ryan Palmer. Any Memorial Contributions will be directed to the Wolfner Library, Jefferson City, Missouri.