Viola Sessions' Obituary
Viola Sessions was born on June 9, 1932, in Flat Creek, Alabama to the late Mr. & Mrs. Horace and Mary Doaty. She was affectionately known as “Tee”. She passed away quietly at home on Friday, October 2, 2020, after a brief illness. Her husband, Melvin Sessions, Sr., preceded her in death in 2017.
She dedicated her life to Christ at an early age while attending the Methodist church in Flat Creek, Alabama. She attended the Walker County Schools and graduated from Praco High School in Praco, Alabama, where she participated in several activities. She relocated to Cleveland, OH in 1950, and married Melvin Sessions, Sr. To this union, three children were born: Melvin Jr., Barbara, and Gwendolyn. She loved and cherished her family and became a member of St. Paul A.M.E. Church, Cleveland, OH, where she served faithfully for over sixty years.
Viola was a warm and caring wife, mother, sister, aunt, cousin, friend, and neighbor, who enjoyed life and lived it with a purpose. While raising her children, she remained active by working, tending to her flower and vegetable gardens and pear, peach, and apple trees. She attended her children’s school events faithfully and took them on regular outings. Her hobbies included cooking (we will not forget her famous pound cake), bowling, and sewing. She managed the Berea Babe’s Softball Team and was an active member of the Praco Alumni Club – Cleveland Chapter. She loved to host family dinners and club meetings for the Alumni, where she would laugh, dance, and have fun. She and her husband travelled with the Alumni to annual events. She also travelled to the Bahamas and Germany.
Viola was a role model. As a member of St. Paul. A.M.E. Church, she was active in the Julia Brown Missionary Society and served on the Usher Board, Stewardess Board and Courtesy Guild. She also served as a Pastor’s Aide and Willing Worker and worked in the Finance Office. She was committed to introducing her family to Christ and would take her children and later grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews to St. Paul A.M.E. Church. Many of them became members.
She retired from American Mailwell in Cleveland, Ohio, where she worked for twenty-five years. Afterwards, she continued to focus on family, church, community, friends, and gardening.
Viola was the eighth of nine children. She leaves a beloved sister, Bertha Stephens of Birmingham, AL. Two brothers, Horace Doaty, Jr. and Thomas Doaty, and five sisters, Susie May, Mary Doaty, Clara Chatton, Frances Doaty, and Christine Williams preceded her in death.
She leaves to cherish her memories a beloved son, Melvin Sessions, Jr. (Loretha) of Lewis Center, OH; two beloved daughters, Barbara Sessions-White (Roy) of Brooklyn, OH and Gwendolyn Wilson (Matthew) of Cleveland, OH; five loving grandchildren: Antwinette Sessions, Yolanda Chislon (Terrence), Melvin Sessions III, Mary Wilson, and Kevin Sessions (Betsy); thirteen great grandchildren; twelve great-great grandchildren; two sisters-in-law, Meneolia Doaty of Cleveland, OH and Ophelia Doaty of Birmingham, AL, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
Visitation is 12-2 p.m., Saturday, October 10, 2020, at the Westwood Abbey
Mausoleum Chapel at Sunset Memorial Park, 6265 Columbia Rd., North Olmsted, OH 44070, where funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Entombment to follow.
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