Viola Marie "Vi" Kipping

March 14, 1923 - April 14, 2013

Viola Marie “Vi” Kipping, age 90, of rural Marion, IL, passed away peacefully at 2:19 p.m. on Sunday, April 14, 2013, at Heartland Regional Medical Center of Marion, IL. She was born on Wednesday, March 14, 1923, in East Saint Louis, IL, the daughter of Charles Wesley and Marguerite (Root) Hook. Vi attended the East Saint Louis schools and was a graduate of East Saint Louis High School. She later went on and received her Cosmetologist License and at one time operated a beauty salon on South Illinois Avenue in Carbondale, IL. She was united in marriage to Leon Albert “Kip” Kipping on Saturday, November 21, 1942, in St. Louis, MO and together they shared over fifty-five years of marriage until his death on Thursday, January 29, 1998. The majority of her lifetime she never worked outside of the home but always kept busy seeing to the needs of her family and managing her home. Vi was an active member of the First Baptist Church of Energy, IL. She also was a member of the church choir and proud member of “The Singing Saints” of the church. In her spare time she enjoyed working puzzles, reading and later, as her eyesight failed, listening to talking books. She loved spending time with her family and always enjoyed the many times they all would gather together. The many memories that have been created will now be cherished by those she leaves behind. She is survived by four sons and three daughters-in-law, Kenneth R. and Judith Kipping of Perkinston, MS, Richard L. and Patricia Kipping of Mesa, AZ, Kerry D. Kipping of Marion, IL and R. Scot and Carol B. Kipping of Slidell, LA; seven grandchildren, Shannon Kipping-Caldwell and husband, Allen of Baton Rouge, LA, Kris Kipping of New Orleans, LA, Tyler Kipping of Herrin, IL, Grant Kipping and Chase Kipping both of Marion, IL, Paige M. Osburn and Portia B. Osburn both of Slidell, LA; four great grandchildren, Kaleigh and Kyleigh Kipping both of Carterville, IL and Caleb J. Osburn and Jason C. Osburn both of Slidell, LA; three sisters and two brothers-in-law, Evelyn Hyden of Grosbeak, TX, Edna Mae and Jerry Boswell of Salem, IL and Barbara and Don Chappius of Highland, IL; brother and sister-in-law, Charles Wesley, Jr. and Jeanette Hook of Anna, IL; sister-in-law, Ruth Young of Penn Valley, CA; special friends, Ruby Restivo of Herrin, IL and Nancy Solomon of Marion, IL, other extended family and many friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband; two grandsons, Richard and David Kipping and two brothers, Donald and Robert Hook. Arrangements for Viola Marie “Vi” Kipping were entrusted to the Wilson-McReynolds Funeral Home, 900 N. Court Street, Marion, IL. The memorial service was at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, April 19, 2013, at First Baptist Church, located at 101 South Pershing Street, Energy, IL with Dr. James Wright presiding. Those attending the memorial service gathered at the church prior to 1:00 p.m. The prelude and postlude musical selections were recorded piano selections. The service began with the presentation of the “DVD Memorial Tribute” featuring photos of special people, places and events of Vi’s life. Special recorded vocal musical selections presented during the service were “What a Day That Will Be” by Brian Free and Assurance and “Amazing Grace” by Susan Boyle. Comments of memory were presented by Vi’s granddaughter, Shannon Kipping-Caldwell. During the service Dr. James Wright also read a letter of memory from Vi’s son, Kenneth. After the service the family and friends gathered in the reception center of the church for a meal and continued time of fellowship and support. For those who preferred, memorial contributions were made to “The First Baptist Church” of Energy, IL. Memorial contribution envelopes were available at the church and the funeral home or were mailed in care of Wilson-McReynolds Funeral Home, P.O. Box 370, Marion, IL 62959. For additional information please contact the funeral home by calling 618-993-2131.