Viola Stewart

(From Housh-Goodwin Funeral Home)

Mrs. Viola Francis Stoops-Stewart, 88, of Carthage, Missouri, passed away Sunday, November 10, 2019 at St. Luke’s Nursing Center in Carthage surrounded by her loving family.

Viola entered this life on April 13, 1931 in rural Lawrence County, Missouri to the union of the late John Otis and Ada Marie (Richards) Chandler. She was a 1949 graduate of Mt. Vernon High School.

On September 1, 1950 she was united in marriage to Leland Bruce Stoops, together they shared forty-two years until his passing on February 12, 1993. She was a professional over the road truck driver along with her husband, Leland. 

In 2005 she was united in marriage to Don Stewart, he preceded her in death in 2016. She enjoyed traveling, quilting, reading and spending time with her family and friends. She was of the Baptist faith. She will truly be missed by all those who knew and loved her.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husbands, Leland Bruce Stoops and Don Stewart; siblings, Leroy Chandler, Faye Chandler, Ruth Clark, Helen Carmichael, Nancy McCandless, Ada Marie Wendler, Pauline Gillett and Paul Chandler.

Viola is survived by her children, Pam Brown (Ed) of Reeds, Robert Stoops (Linda) of Joplin, Richard Stoops (Diane) of Grove, Oklahoma and Russell Stoops (Cindy) of Okemah, Oklahoma; grandchildren, Janice Gravner, Amy Davis, Gina Hildebrand, Bruce Stoops, Amber Abbott, Blake Stoops, Crystal Degraw and Sam Stoops; fourteen great grandchildren; several nieces and nephews; as well as a host of other family and friends.

Funeral services are 1:00 p.m. Wednesday, November 13, 2019 at Housh-Goodwin Funeral Home, Sarcoxie with Pastor Scott Stone officiating. Burial will follow in Sarcoxie Cemetery. Those honoring her life by serving as pallbearers are Jonathan Justis, Jake Gravner, Brian Gravner, Ryan Stoops, Ed Gillet and Bruce Stoops. Honorary pallbearers are Tyler Davis and Gabriel Ortiz. The family has directed memorial contributions to the Disabled Veteran’s in care of the funeral home. On-line condolences may be sent to the family through our website www.housh-goodwinfuneralhome.com. Arrangements are under the personal care and direction of Housh=-Goodwin Funeral Home, Sarcoxie, Missouri.