Vivian Irene Draper Jackson
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Vivian Irene Draper Jackson passed away September 6, 2022 in Osage Beach, Missouri after a brief illness. She was 95 years old. There will be a small service for family only on Saturday September 17, 2022 at Lake of the Ozarks. Vivian was born on July 19, 1927 to Walter Roosevelt Draper and Mary Sue Bertsch Draper in Gilliam, MO. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Robert “Bob” Vonneida Jackson, brothers Leonard Draper, Alan Draper and Maurice Draper. She is survived by her daughter Ann Parrish (Billy), sons Jimmie Lee Johnson (Cindy), Roy Johnson, Bob Jackson, Jr (Bary Porter), 3 grandsons, 3 great granddaughters, a great great granddaughter, many cousins, nieces, nephews and adopted grandkids.
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To say Vivian was quite a lady is an understatement. She lived on her own until the last few weeks of her life and enjoyed family gatherings, fishing, boating, cooking, sewing, quilting, driving between her Kansas City and Lake of the Ozarks homes (yes, by herself at 95), going to the casino, garage sales, and really whatever SHE wanted to do.
Vivian graduated from Salisbury High School and started working in restaurants as both a cook and waitress at age 18. She also enjoyed her time on the road with her husband Bob driving across the country in their 18-wheeler, making memories and a little money. She quit driving big trucks at age 75 so she had more time to crappie fish.
May each of us live a life as active and full as Vivian.
Visits: 3
There are so many stories we have. Our time as her neighbor wasn’t long enough. From her snarky comments to Jason when he first introduced himself to the orneriness they brought each other every day since, she will be missed so much.
She loved that Colten called her Grandma Vivian, and wouldn’t want it any other way.
I will never forget the day Bob called me and asked if I was busy to see if I could go see her. All I could think on the way over was, “what in the world did Jason do know to irritate her?!?” That wasn’t it at all. She just needed a friend. Someone to talk to. I sat there for at least 3 hours just hanging out with her and listened to her stories.
Then, there are times we went over there and I would always introduce my wild and crazy friends…who loved Vivian as much as we did. We went through all of her “costume jewelry” one day as she was giving us certain items from the bag.
She always had a story. And you better bet it came with a punch line or a lesson.
She will be so terribly missed.
Let me tell you about this wonderful woman. Growing up I didn’t have many friends. Didn’t get to do much. But this woman along with my cuzin Bob would drive out of her way to come and pick me up and take me to the lake of the Ozarks. I never knew there was a such place to go and have fun. And to go for a ride on that houseboat (I was on top of the world).The only place I ever knew was going to the family farm
and working. I had never seen so much water. This woman didn’t have to go out of her way to pick me up .
But yet she did. Aunt Vivian. I will always remember you for caring so much for a young girl that is now 63 years old. I will never forget this lady. Rest in peace dear lady
I was grateful to be at the memorial service for Aunt Vivian. It was beautiful and heartfelt. Her passing represented the closing of my parent’s generation; she was the last of them.
I’ll always remember visits to their lake house. She was gracious in sharing her home, and wonderful meals, with me and my family.
Talks with Aunt Viv were always engaging. One of the lessons she taught by example was to live your life and enjoy each day; see the world through the windshield of a semi truck while you make a buck, live in a place you love, spend your time with family and friends.
Her gruff demeanor protected her tender heart. I’m glad that her and Uncle Bob are together again.