On March 1, 1925, a beautiful baby girl was born to William Mack Henry and Helen Robbins Manuel in Fort Gibson, Oklahoma who they gracefully named Viola Mae Henry.



When she was very young a strong desire consumed her to serve the Lord, yielding to that desire she professed her faith in Jesus Christ. She worked diligently as a servant in God's Army; she worked faithfully at Wilson Chapel Baptist Church for many years. She later joined First Baptist Church in Taft under the leadership of Reverend Woodrow McBride where she continued to serve until her health began to fail.



In 1955 she was united in marriage to Walter Tate whom precedes her in death along with her Father and Mother, Step-Father (John D. Manuel), Sister (Janice Brown), Three Grandchildren and one Great Granddaughter.



Viola raised fourteen children to whom she leaves to carry her legacy; Erma (William) Wichita, KS, Walter Jr. Kansas, MO, Wallace Sr. (Elizabeth) San Francisco, CA, Laura, Las Vegas, NV, Donald Ray, Minneapolis, MN, Harrien (Ira), Muskogee, OK, Cleo (Helen) Minneapolis, MN, Frank (Charlotte) Muskogee, OK, Hazel, Palatine, IL, Allen (Eugenia) Taft, OK, Dwight, Muskogee, OK, Jeff (Matilda), Muskogee, OK, Richard (Dannetta) Muskogee, OK, and raised a special grandson Aaron (Reda), Taft OK; 37 Grandchildren, 43 Great Grandchildren, 1 Great -Great Grandchild, a sister Snordia Brown (Erwin) Omaha NE, a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.



Grandma as she was affectionately known was loved by so many in the community. One of her passions was to make sure everyone in the community ate and left her home full and they all knew they were always welcomed back. Visitors near and far came to grandma's house looking for the seven up cake. Before daycares were popular Grandma's house was the daycare. She raised her children, grandchildren, and even great grandchildren.



On September 16, 2008 Grandma answered her God by humbly surrendering her armor. Grandma will be greatly missed by us all but her memory will be everlasting.









"Earth Has No Sorrow Heaven Cannot Heal"

The Tribute of Remembrance will be on Tuesday, September 23, 2008 at 11:00 A.M. in the First Baptist Church of Taft. Rev. John Washington, Pastor, Officiating. The Christian Committal will follow in the Doyle Cemetery at Yahola, Oklahoma. You may visit "Grandma" as she slumbers in peaceful repose at the Keith D. Biglow Funeral Directors, Inc., on Monday from 2 PM to 7 PM.