of Searcy, AR

October 30, 2012

Vivian Maxine Johnston Hyde slipped from this life in the arms of angels on October 30, 2012 at the age of 92 at her home in Searcy. She was born February 4, 1920, in Lepanto, Arkansas, the oldest surviving child of James Henry and Ida McWhirter Johnston. After graduation from Lepanto High School in 1938, Vivian attended Arkansas State College where she met the love of her life, Leland S. Hyde, in the college cafeteria. They were married on December 21, 1941, just two weeks after the attack on Pearl Harbor. Their marriage lasted almost 65 years until Leland's death in 2006. She missed him every day. Her beloved was in the United States Air Force for thirty years, and Vivian and their girls were stationed in Guam, the Philippine Islands, and numerous bases in the United States. After their retirement in Searcy, Arkansas, in 1971, Vivian went to work immediately as secretary to the principal at Harding Academy, where she remained for seventeen years. She then worked as secretary at the Cloverdale Church of Christ for four more years. In 2007, Vivian moved in with her daughter and son-in-law, Katrina and Lynn Smeltzer, who cared for her tenderly and lovingly until the day of her death.

Vivian is survived by her two daughters, Kayla (Paul) Haynie, Katrina (Lynn) Smeltzer; five grandchildren: Matthew (Laura) Smeltzer, Natalie Smeltzer, Jennifer Smeltzer, Kassandra (Kenneth) Freeman, and Kip Haynie. Also surviving are a brother, Clyde (Laverne) Johnston, and sisters Annabelle (Kay) Moser, and Judy Manley, as well as a host of nephews and nieces. The family wishes to give special recognition and appreciation to Shirley Guthrie Dewitt and Stacy McVey, ministering angels sent by God to lovingly care for our mother in her home. Thanks also to Arkansas Hospice for their tender nursing.

Visitation will be at Roller-Daniel Funeral Home on Thursday, November 1, from 5:00-8:00 PM. Funeral services will be at Roller-Daniel on Friday, November 2, at 2:00 PM. Burial will be in White County Memorial Gardens where she will be laid to rest next to her beloved husband. Memorials may be sent to Children's Homes, Inc., 5515 Walcott Road, Paragould, AR 72450.

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