Violet Doviak English
September 12, 1921 – April 13, 2017
Obituary
Violet English, 95, died peacefully in her sleep at Arbor Springs in Opelika Thursday evening, April 13, 2017 following a brief illness. She was still smiling at the end of her long and happy life.
A 60-year resident of Montgomery, Vi moved to Opelika last summer. She was born in Garfield, New Jersey in 1921. Vi was an Army operating room nurse in World War II. She met her husband in the service at Camp McCain, Mississippi, and they married in 1944 in Spartanburg, South Carolina. They lived in Arlington, Virginia after the war, until moving to Alabama in 1953. Vi retired from Bromberg’s Jewelers in 1987 after 20 years.
She was preceded in death by: her parents, John and Nell Doviak; her only sibling, Tadeus, who was killed at Normandy; and her beloved husband of 57 years, Bill English, who died in 2001.
Vi is survived by: her son, Bill English (Becky Bell) of Opelika; her nephew, Ted Doviak of Puyallup, Washington, his 4 children (Tad, Monica, Hannah and Toby), his 9 grandchildren and 1 great grandchild. Vi is also survived by a whole bunch of loving family on her husband’s side: brother-in-law Bert (Barbara) English; nephew AI (Diane) English; niece Becky (Ken) Arnold; niece Jacqueline (Ernie) Hudson; nephew Bert (Jennifer) English; and all their many kids and grand kids.
Many thanks to all those who helped Vi through the transitions of her later years in life since her husband died, including her Chesterfield Court neighbors, the caring folks at Eastern Meadows Church of Christ, and the compassionate staffs at Eastdale Estates (especially Toni and Beth), EAMC, and Arbor Springs Health and Rehab (especially Angel and Little Bit).
A celebration of Vi’s life was held April 18, at Leak-Memory Chapel in Montgomery. Visitation began at 12:00 p.m., with the service at 2:00 p.m. Interment occured directly behind the chapel in Greenwood Cemetery immediately after the service. The service was conducted by Steve Housley of Eastern Meadows Church of Christ.
Pallbearers were AI English, Lee English, Bert English, Jr., Luke English, Mason English, and Ken Arnold.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a contribution in Vi’s memory to Agape of Central Alabama (www.agapeforchildren.org) or Eastern Meadows Church of Christ Building Fund.