Viola Traylor Beall East

Viola Lythia Traylor Beall East passed away peacefully on Saturday, August 11, 2012, in Hammond, Louisiana. She was born October 2, 1920, in Pumpkin Center, Louisiana, where she made her home until the time of her death. Visitation will be held Sunday, August 12, from 6:00 PM until 9:00 PM, at Brandon Thompson Funeral Home, west of Hammond, Louisiana, and again on Monday, August 13, at Trinity Baptist Church, Pumpkin Center Road, Pumpkin Center, Louisiana, from 9:00 AM until funeral services at 11:00 AM. Interment will follow in the church cemetery. Gracious and cheerful, living humbly and always in service to others, Viola was an inspiration to many throughout her long life; first, by her example of faith in God and service to Trinity Baptist Church where, as a faithful, charter member she held positions throughout many years as a Sunday School Teacher, Choir Member, and Choir Director. It was as a teacher of typing and shorthand for 43 years in Ponchatoula area schools that Viola inspired generations of students. She loved teaching and cherished her students and co-workers alike, fondly recalling people and events of those days for years. Until the time of her illness, Viola enjoyed cross-country treks at the wheel of a motorhome following her husband on his bicycle as they wound their way through thirty-six states. Viola left her family with a legacy of love and faith and is survived by her husband, Charles R. East (formerly of McComb, Mississippi) and son Robert Ray Beall, Jr. and his wife Lynette, all of Pumpkin Center, and a daughter Mary Catherine Hardy and her husband Michael, of Baton Rouge; and grandchildren: Joshua Mathew Beall, Harris Ray Beall, and Abigail Catherine Hardy. Other surviving family members are one brother, Eugene Otis Traylor of Pumpkin Center, many nieces and nephews, and her husband’s children: David, Scott, and Sherri East, along with their spouses and children. She is preceded in death by her parents, Otis Gallup Traylor and Mary Catherine Crayton Traylor; first husband, the father of her children, Robert Ray Beall, Sr.; a daughter, Eula Mae Beall; and grand-daughter, Adelaide Catherine Hardy. Also preceding Viola in death were three brothers: Leo Traylor, Edgar Waterson Traylor, and Deyampert Ashley Traylor, all of Pumpkin Center. Memorial donations may be made for renovations to the Eula Mae Beall Memorial Building at Trinity Baptist Church, to be sent in care of First Guaranty Bank, 400 East Thomas Street, Hammond, Louisiana, 70401.

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Viola Traylor Beall East

October 2, 1920 - August 11, 2012