M. "Vivian" Shannon (Mansfield)'s Obituary
Mary Vivian Shannon, daughter of Henry Allen and Clara Belle Millsap Upshaw, was born January 28, 1913, near Denlow, Missouri. She departed this life Saturday, December 1, 2012, in her home, in Mountain Grove, Missouri, at the age of ninety-nine years, ten months, and three days.
On September 29, 1928, in Salem, Arkansas, she was united in marriage to Harley Wayne Shannon, and to this union one daughter and one son were born.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Harley “Doc”, on March 30, 1998; a daughter, Barbara Kay Stapp; a son, Harley Van Shannon; four brothers, Vie Chester, Ivy Allen, Morton Henry, and Norman John Essel Upshaw; five sisters, Lola Alice Proctor, Loda Black, Ola Loyce Bowman, Bertie Jane Cooper, and Elaine Margaret Jones.
Vivian, affectionately known by her family as “Pug”, is survived by a daughter-in-law, Norma Shirley Shannon, of Mountain Grove, Missouri; seven grandchildren, Doug Shannon, & his wife, Robin, Joe Shannon, & his wife, Debbie, Danny Shannon, & his wife, Deanna, Jenny Beckholt, & her husband, Jeff, Kim Nichols, & her husband, Donnie, Susie Riley, & her husband, Andrew, and Bryn Livingston, & her husband, Mark; twenty-one great-grandchildren; twelve great-great-grandchildren; a number of nieces and nephews; as well as a host of other relatives and many friends.
She was born and raised in Douglas County, Missouri. After she and Harley “Doc” were married, they made their home in Drury, Missouri, where Vivian worked as the Postmistress of the Drury Post Office for twenty-five years. In addition to being a devoted homemaker to her husband and family, Vivian also worked as a cook at the Ava Sale Barn for several years. In 1970, she and Doc moved to Mountain Grove, Missouri, and made their home.
Vivian was a longtime member of the Church of Christ and had attended the Southside Church of Christ in Mountain Grove.
She belonged to the Chitter Chatters, and the Drury Club. In her spare time she enjoyed planting and tending a large garden each year, and sharing her produce and flowers with her family and friends. She also liked crocheting, and sharing stories from her past. She was an excellent cook and was particularly known for her homemade bread. Her family was very important to her and she especially enjoyed all of her grandchildren.
Vivian was a loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, great-great-grandmother, and aunt, and was a caring neighbor and friend. We celebrate her long life and her accomplishments, and know that her family and friends will cherish the wonderful memories she made for them during her lifetime.
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