Viola Louise Atwood

Viola "Ole" Louise Atwood, 97, passed away on July 3, 2011, at the Brian Center, in Weaverville, NC. She was born on November 3, 1913 to Frank William and Louisa Freedman Froehle in Bancroft, IA. At the age of three her family relocated to a farm in Cold Spring, MN. In her early 20's she and a sister moved to Arizona, where in 1940 she met and married Howard Freeman Atwood. They resided in Willcox, AZ, for the next 50+ years. In 1995, she moved to a retirement center in Mesa, AZ, and in 2000 moved to Asheville, NC. Early on she developed a great love of cooking… a passion that she enjoyed well into her 90's. Viola was always very active in her community and her church and was an avid knitter. For a number of years she knitted for the Linus Project making items for children in need. She was preceded in death by her parents, fourteen siblings, her husband Howard Freeman Atwood and a son Marvin James Atwood. She is survived by sons Howard Atwood (Karen) and Phil Atwood (Joan) both of Barnardsville, NC, and daughter-in-law Pam Atwood of Encinitas, CA. She is also survived by grandchildren Eric Atwood of Shreveport, LA; Chad Atwood (Marsha) of Cedar Point, NC; Todd Atwood (Catherine) of Charlotte, NC; Christopher Atwood (Katherine) of Cumming, GA; Kenneth Atwood (Laura) of Alcoa, TN; Tracy Patay (Brad) of San Diego, CA; Craig Atwood of Mesa, AZ; and Amy Atwood of La Jolla, CA. She is also survived by 12 great-grandchildren. "Grannie" will be greatly missed by her family and friends. Her quick wit, her loving and caring way and her sense of humor will be missed by all. A memorial service will be held at St. Paul's United Methodist Church on Saturday, July 16, 2011 at 3:00 P.M. with the Rev. In-Yong Lee presiding, assisted by the Rev. Harry Sellers. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to St. Paul's UMC, 223 Hillside Ave., Asheville, NC 28801. Interment will be at Sunset Cemetery in Willcox, AZ. Arrangements are being handled by Groce Funeral Home of Asheville, and Westlawn Chapel in Willcox.