Vivarea (Linton) Alston

“Granny” Vivarea (Vi) Alston (Linton)
Born: September 21, 1924, to William Andrew Linton and Mandy “Elzie” Tennesse Linton (Tyler), in Caglesville, Arkansas.
Married: Earl Alston October 31, 1938 In Pope County Arkansas
Child: Jimmie Lynn Alston (Boots)
Grandkids: Jimmie Alston Jr (Paige) of Klamath Falls, Robin McCrary (Mark) of Fairview, OR, Marty Alston

At the time of her passing, she had 14 Great-Grandchildren, 21 Great-Great-Grandchildren.  She passed away on Tuesday, February 11, 2025 at 100 years of age.

She is preceded in death by her husband Earl, July 19, 2003, Daughter-in-law Bertha (Boots) January 11, 2007, Grandson Martin (Marty) August 20, 2014, her parents, and 9 of her 10 siblings.

Vi grew up in Russellville, AK and Atkins, AK.  Vi shared many stories of her childhood. She remembered she was so young she had to stand on stool to heat a pot of food on the woodstove for her younger siblings while her parents and older siblings worked in the field.  She married her neighbor Earl when she was 14 years old and gave birth to their only child, Jimmie the following July.  Vi worked on cotton farms with her husband as a young married couple. This was the only work outside the home she did.

The family moved to Florence, AZ in 1943. They lived in several places before settling in their long term home in Klamath Falls, OR.  The family moved to Klamath Falls, Oregon in June 1956 where they remained until their deaths.
Vi was known for her gardening. The neighborhood children referred to her as “The lady who makes the flowers grow.”  Vi loved gardening, fishing, camping, hunting, though she never shot an animal, she loved accompanying her husband. She also enjoyed quilting, crocheting, canning, and taking photos of her family. She kept meticulous photo albums with names and dates all in chronological order.

Vi had an inner strength that was something we all (should) strive for. She adjusted life, habits, behaviors, and expectations whenever necessary and however often.  When her Dr told to her to quit smoking (after 40 years of smoking) or probably get emphysema: She didn’t say, “I’ll try” or “As soon as I finish this pack”. She threw the cigarettes away in the trashcan in the doctors office.  When her husband was told to change his diet and increase his physical activity: She cleaned out the house of all unhealthy food, restocked with the right stuff, and shifted their day-to-day diet for good. They increased their daily walks to 5 miles, rain or shine.  There are many more examples. Some I’m sure, no one even knew about.  No excuses. No complaining, Just pull up your boots by the bootstraps and get it done. She had this attitude about everything, always.

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