Viola Gertrude Zeigler of Evanston, Cincinnati, Ohio

On February 14, 1937, in Wetumpka, Alabama, Viola Gertrude Zeigler was born to the late Nelson and Laura Gray.  Viola was the oldest of ten children. Before departing this life at the age of 81, on Thursday, July 27, 2018, at Jewish Hospital in Cincinnati, Ohio, at 12:30 a.m. Viola was a 39-year member of the Order of Eastern Star, Wesley Smith Chapter No. 90.  She served as Worthy Matron in 1986 and received various Grand Appoints from Amaranth Grand Chapter Order of Eastern Star - P.H.A. She also represented her Chapter as "Esther" at the annual "Esther Day."

Viola received her education at Elmore County Training School, Weldon B. Doby High in Wetumpka, Alabama.  She married the late Andrew Zeigler in 1957 and in their union they had one child, Joyce Zeigler.  In 1963, they relocated from Wetumpka, Alabama, to Cincinnati, Ohio.

Once in Cincinnati, Viola's devotion to serve God drew her to Second Community Baptist Church.  While at Second Community Baptist Church, she worked on the building fund, as a church mother and sang in the choir.  Due to her failing health, Viola wasn't able to physically attend church and was eventually placed in Hyde Park Health Center where she met Reverend Ashton Allen from Mount Carmel Baptist Church.  After attending a few of services, she was ready to accept Christ once again and transferred her membership to Mount Carmel Baptist Church.

She held jobs as a caretaker but eventually decided to focus that love and commitment at home with her own family.  As a homemaker, wife, and mother, she was strong, capable, and worked tirelessly, always striving to make everything better.  Viola was renowned for her love of gardening, cooking, baking, sewing, playing bingo and going to the casino.  She opened home and heart to not only to her parents when they moved from Alabama to Cincinnati, but also to a host of nieces and nephews.  She loved taking care of her family and having a good laugh over coffee with friends.  She always sacrificed her needs for the good of her family.

She was preceded in death by three brothers Albert, Alfred and John and a sister, Doris Miller, all of whom stepped across the threshold of life and into the arms of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  Her spirit will be carried on by her daughter Joyce Zeigler, granddaughter Montanae Zeigler-Penn (Charles), great granddaughter Jasmine Penn, and Viola's life force great-great grandson Levi Penn.  She also leaves five sisters: Shirley (Willie Washington), Laura Baxton, Mary Gray, and Dean Singletary; one brother Nelson (Pam Gray); a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and an extended family of relations and friends from every walk of life.

Visitation is from 10:00 am until 11:00 am, on  Saturday, August 4, 2018, at the Mt. Carmel  Baptist Church, 3101 Riverside Drive, Cincinnati  (45226).   The funeral service will immediately follow the visitation beginning at 11:00 am.

Interment will follow at Walnut Hills Cemetery, 3117 Victory Parkway, Cincinnati, Ohio 45206.

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Walker Funeral Home, 1025 E. McMillan Street, Cincinnati (45206)  is serving the  Zeigler family.  Please call (513) 251-6200 or visit www.WalkerFuneralHome.com for additional information.