Vivian Ruth Yonkey

Vivian Ruth Yonkey, 58, friend, sister and daughter, went home to be with the Lord at 11:30 p.m. October 11th, 2017. Vivian ultimately 'won' her courageous battle with cancer and now sings lead soprano with the heavenly choir. Vivian was born on August 23, 1959 at Kimbrough Army Hospital in Fort Meade, Maryland to Carol Jean Taylor Yonkey and Cecil Edward 'Ed' Yonkey. Following in the footsteps of her father, Vivian proudly served her country in the U.S. Army from June 1978 to 1982 and was honorably discharged in June of that year. Being a life-long learner, she attended Emory and Henry University and graduated from East Tennessee State University with a Masters Degree of Liberal Studies with a concentration in Storytelling. Vivian worked for the Washington County/Jonesborough/Gray Library System, the Elizabethton Public Library, and then moved to the Knox County Public Library as the Childrens Programming Specialist for multiple counties. In later years, she moved back home to help take care of her ailing father. Vivian loved the people in the Johnson City Parish consisting of East Pine Grove Park UMC, Otterbein UMC, and West Market Street UMC and enjoyed working with the Childrens ministry. Her true gift was working with children by teaching the Bible through storytelling and puppetry. Vivian is preceded in death by her father, Cecil 'Ed' Yonkey, and devoted pet, Chad the Wonder Dog. She is survived by her mother, Carol Yonkey, of Johnson City, a handsome and debonair brother, David Yonkey (Liz), of Killeen, Texas, a favored 'Little' sister, Lisa Yonkey Luster (Phillip), of Elizabethton, Tennessee, numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews, and her loving pet, Maxine. The family would like to thank the nurses and doctors at the Mountain Home Veterans Administration Hospital for the care and love they showed Vivian in her final months. A Celebration of Life covered dish dinner is planned for Saturday, October 14th, at 5:00 p.m. at Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church, 225 Princeton Road, Johnson City, TN 37601. Vivians friends and family are cordially invited to attend.