Viola Mae Ambrosia

Viola Mae Ambrosia

Viola Mae Patterson Ambrosia, age 90, of Kirksville, passed away unexpectedly Saturday, January 19, 2013 at University Hospital in Columbia, Missouri.

She was born on August 19, 1922 near Gifford, Missouri, the daughter of Cecil and Naomi (Wright) Martin. On June 15, 1941, she was united in marriage to Paul Howard "Pete" Patterson, and to this union three children were born. Pete passed away on January 24, 1974, and on May 08, 1977, Viola married Ray Ambrosia.

Viola is survived by her husband, Ray Ambrosia, of Kirksville; three children, Don Howard Patterson and wife Carol, of Kirksville, Lonnie Paul Patterson of Brashear, MO, and Ronnie Pearl Patterson and his fiancé, Belinda Turner, of Paris, KY; three grandchildren, David Patterson and wife Lori of Kirksville, Brian Patterson and wife Shelle of Harrison, AR, and Donna Scruggs and husband Gary of Kirksville; seven great-grandchildren, Andy Sundblad of Lexington, MO, Brady Bowling of Kirksville, Millie Scruggs of Kirksville , and Katie, Kristi, Alec and Clayson Patterson of Harrison, AR. Viola is also survived by one step-daughter, Gerry Shoop, four step-grandchildren, Doug Shoop, Joe Shoop and wife Laura, Ken Scott and wife, Naomi, and Chris Scott and wife, Mary; a niece, Barbara Ross, and several step-great-grandchildren, and many friends and loved ones.

Viola was preceded in death by her first husband, Paul Howard "Pete" Patterson, her parents, three Sisters, Wanda, Clella and Norma, three brothers: Claud, Sam and Roy; her daughter-in-law, Ann Patterson, one step-daughter, Kathy Scott, and her mother-in-law, Hallie Ambrosia.

Viola graduated from LaPlata High School in 1940. She worked for many years as one of the cooks at the Adair County R-II schools in Brashear. She worked for a time at the Shamrock restaurant in Kirksville, and for several years at the Florsheim Shoe Factory in Kirksville until her retirement.

Viola will be remembered as a very hard worker and a devoted wife, mother and grandmother. Her great-grandchildren called her "Old Grandma", a term she dearly loved. She was honest and loyal and never let the people she loved and cared about down. She was a wonderful cook, and was well known for her delicious pies. She enjoyed country music, and loved to travel, visiting the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville several times. She loved traveling to North Carolina to the mountains to hunt for rocks and gems with her daughter-in-law, Ann. She was always willing to lend a helping hand to anyone who needed it She will be greatly missed.

Funeral service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday (January 24, 2013) at the Davis-Playle-Hudson-Rimer Funeral Home . Interment will follow the service at the Brashear Cemetery in Brashear, MO.

Pallbearers will be Andy Sundblad, Brady Bowling, Gary Scruggs, Doug Shoop, Doug Thomas and Albert Zentz.

Visitation with the family will be from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Wednesday at the

Davis-Playle-Hudson-Rimer Funeral Home

2100 E. Shepherd Ave.

Kirksville, MO 63501 660-665-2233

Expressions of sympathy in memory of Viola Patterson Ambrosia may be made to the Shriner's Hospital.