Obituary of Viola D. Dillard

Viola D. Dillard, age 91, died Thursday, April 5, 2012 at Galtier Health Center, St. Paul. A Funeral Service will be held at 12 Noon on Saturday, April 14 at the Spielman Mortuary, with the Reverend William Land, Officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service (11 AM-Noon). Interment Oakland Cemetery. Viola was born in Arkansas in 1920. She had 11 siblings in her family, graduated from Lovejoy High School in Mounds City, Illinois in 1942. Her father and brothers had moved to St. Paul, Minnesota to work for the railroad before she graduated from High School. For a short time, Viola was mother of the household. She moved to St. Paul with her sister, Alma (Honeybabe) in 1943 to live with her father, Greene Watson, Sr. and brothers, Vertrees (Buddy and Greene Watson, Jr. In 1946, she married Robert Dillard and worked in a factory as a seamstress for many years. Together, they had one son, Robert Terrill (Terry Dillard - Mr. T, to some.) For years, Viola was the only woman who could teach lingerie classes at Central High School. Her classes were well attended. Alma followed and also taught with her. Viola is loved for her afghans, quilts, and garments, which she presented to mamy as gifts of love. Last but not least, Viola made the best dinner rolls, cakes, and pastres that anybody would ever want. She will be remembered, loved, and misssed by all who knew her.