Viola Violet Voteau Berryman, 90, born to Nathan and Julia Eddleman Voteau of Festus, Missouri. Her older siblings obviously had a hand in her name, as “V for Victory” was popular. They goaded her about it their entire lives. She was extremely intelligent and loved books, investing, sports and her church. Vi was married to Chelsea Berryman for 66 years, who predeceased her in 2016. Together they had a marvelous life with many close friends and family.

Chelsea and Vi were married on April 29, 1950. They had three children: Russell Berryman (Cindy), Karen Fitzgerald (Michael) and Kathy Berryman (Bill Watson). She had four grandchildren: Matthew Berryman, deceased, Sarah Fitzgerald (Jason Harmon), Andrew Berryman (Kate) and Eve Weber (Michael); five great grandchildren: Noah Berryman, Vivian Weber, Henry Berryman, Owen Harmon and Michael “Three” Weber. Big Gigi loved them all, especially Owen’s inquisitive nature. However, Moonshine (aka Kujo) will forever be remembered as her favorite “child”. She mourned his loss to the day she died. Thankfully she was one of the seven people he liked, everyone else was fair game.

Vi was voted “Most Studious” and graduated first in her class at Festus High School. When her youngest daughter hit Second Grade, Chelsea urged her to go to college and, in fact, went with her to enroll. She graduated from the University of Missouri – St. Louis Magna Cum Laude, majoring in Russian History and minoring in Economics. Her goal was to become a stockbroker, however, at that time, women were only hired on as support staff. Choices for educated women were nursing or teaching.

Due to then current norms, she became a teacher at Fox High School. She taught American History, Geography, Black History and Economics. Babysitting was not her style and she expected her students to work! One student was a member of a famous racing family. He would come into her classroom Monday through Thursday mornings, put his head down and sleep. On Thursday afternoons he would fly to the next race. She flunked him twice. The third year she suggested he transfer to another class. He responded, “I like you just fine, Mrs. Berryman.” She passed him and he graduated.

During her tenure at Fox High she was diagnosed with a rare form of cervical cancer. Survival wasn’t certain. Dr. Long and Barnes Hospital aggressively treated her through three tough years. By her strong will and the grace of God, she beat it and lived an additional 45 years! Her co-workers donated their sick days for which she was forever grateful.

The Berryman, Wenger, Hopson, Morse, Tourville, Garner, Brooks, Pace, Grimm and other families met at Lindenwood Baptist Church in 1960 and remained close friends throughout their lives. There was a rotating Pot Luck dinner one Saturday night a month when their children were young. All the kids would play while they Ballroom danced after dinner. It was carefree, alcohol free and filled with memories. In later years many of them traveled together including Europe, Florida, Alabama and cruising the Islands, Alaska and through the Panama Canal.

Vi and Chelsea had an especially close relationship with the Breckenridge’s. Chelsea and Joanne’s mothers were close friends leading to their lifelong friendship and their children’s as well. When Russell, Mark, Karen, Beki, Jeff and Kathy were young and allegedly asleep, Vi, Joanne, Chelsea and Walter would drive around many, many nights, checking out new home developments and building sites. Most Saturday nights they went to dinner together. Jeremiah’s and Sunset 44 were favorites. Summer holiday weekends were spent at Lake of the Ozarks and the Breckenridge’s home was always the last stop Christmas night. Flaming Pit took on the Berryman and Breckenridge Clans after church on Easter Sundays; those poor waitresses. Baseball and hockey games were a staple and the seats were fantastic.

Her children remember she was always reading. Karen would cover the pages of her book with her hands to get her attention. She read two newspapers and a book every day and had a phenomenal memory and vocabulary. Before the Internet three attorneys, Kathy and an unabridged dictionary could not find the spelling of a word. We called Vi who knew how to spell it off the top of her head. They were duly impressed. Even a few years ago not even the Research Desk at the Library could explain why Liberty Mutual was no longer listed on the NYSE. A call to Vi cleared up the confusion finding the company had become a private entity just days prior to the inquiry. Baseball and football players’ names and stats were just a call away. She explained the game of football to Kathy while watching the St. Louis Football Cardinals beat the Dallas Cowboys on Monday Night Football in 1977. What a game!

Vi played softball into her 30’s when a pulled hamstring ended her career. Her children played softball and her son basketball, all learned to swim early. Many summer days were spent at Springdale Pool with the longtime friends. Summers were Springdale Pool, Jack Buck, Harry Carey, Cardinal Baseball, softball games (pick up or organized), drive-in movies, the Art Museum, The Muny and free concerts. The family was always doing something.

Church was important to both Vi and Chelsea. They met at Jewel Baptist when Vi visited her sister, Lillian, in St. Louis. After she graduated from high school, she moved in with Lil and John Fenner and worked at Graham Paper Company downtown. Lil’s son, Jack, often related stories of treachery while sharing a room with his Aunt Vi, who was more his contemporary than his mother’s. She and Zola Cadwell became lifelong friends at Jewel, as well.

The Lindenwood Baptist group moved en mass to First Baptist Church of Affton in the early to mid 1960’s. Vi sang in the choir and they participated in the Youth Group. They became members of Kirkwood Baptist Church in 1972, where she found a home. She joined the choir, taught Sunday School and they both volunteered for various duties and events. Vi believed in giving back and they volunteered at the Soup Kitchen downtown, Meals on Wheels, CORPS and she even taught a young immigrant English through St. Louis County Library. She was always learning and always teaching. The Library knew Vi personally. Not only did she pick up and return 10 to 15 books a week for eons, but she also obtained films and materials for her classes.

After she had retired, she received a call from a headhunter for a stockbroker position. She was ecstatic. Needless to say, she turned them down, however, it was truly a triumphant moment of her life.

Later they joined Merry Mixers Square Dance Club and became close friends with Grace and Leonard Factor. They enjoyed traveling to different venues to dance with other clubs. We were surprised Vi decided they should try square dancing, but the next week Chelsea was ready to go 15 minutes early!

Vi and Chelsea hosted Thanksgiving Day to the expanding Voteau family; who else had china for 40? Her mother, Julia Voteau, siblings, Elbert and Jewel Voteau, Lillian and John Fenner and Dick Voteau and Dee, along with their children and eventual grandchildren. Jack and Toni Fenner, Gina and Jennifer; Cat (aka Helen) and Joe McCreary, Connie Waltman and Tracey and John Cartier; Linda and Mark Shoemaker and Christine; Rick and Gail Voteau, Rene and Stephanie; Donna Voteau, Patricia and Wade; David Voteau and Alexandra. Vi cooked the turkey, baked her famous rolls and the families brought the fixings. They feasted all day, fought over the rolls and watched football. Then sang Christmas Carols, including her nephew, Rick’s favorite, “The Twelve Days of Christmas”! There was always room for friends to join in too. Chelsea built a huge fire and all too often sweaters were shed while sitting on top of each other to see the game. When Vi and Chelsea sold their home on Doverhill, where they lived for 56 years, the tradition, more or less, ended. Esther and George Flieg, Vi’s sister and brother-in-law, had ten children, David (Debbie) Flieg, Pat (Jim) Wilson, Larry (Darleen) Flieg, Sue (Ric) Stock, Nancy (Rich) Becker, Joan (the late Jack) Davis, Don (Joanne) Flieg, Barb (David) Wernig, Carol (Paul) Schleicher and the late Mike (Jackie) Flieg, and unless a park was involved, there wasn’t enough room to celebrate together. Her nieces and nephews brought her great joy and she was proud of them all.

She made a wonderful life and lived at the height of the American Dream. Google will have to replace her vast knowledge and we will miss her history and geography lessons. We know she has reunited with Chelsea, we heard he was holding the door for her.

Due to COVID-19, there will not be a Memorial Service. In lieu of the service, please make donations in Vi’s memory to the St. Louis Food Pantry. Thank you.