Flora Viola Story

Flora Viola Campbell Smith Story peacefully passed from this life on Friday, January 23, 2026, at Comfort Care Nursing Center. Viola was born April 1, 1936, in Eastland County, TX to J. (Jack) and Flora Itery Luttrell Campbell. Viola married Odell Smith on December 1, 1952. They shared 47 years together, raising their son and four daughters at their home in the Sharon Community. Sadly, Odell passed in February 2000. Later, in November 2001, Viola married Harvey Story. The two of them enjoyed traveling to Texas, especially family reunions in Cisco until his health declined and he passed away in February 2022. Viola was small in stature but was very spirited and known for her feistiness. She had several names and titles, wife, mother, Viola, Bolie, Aunt Bolie, Sis and her favorite Mamaw. She was a hard worker and believed in staying busy. Through the years she worked at TG&Y, Kux Jewelers, excelled in selling Avon, and retired from the US Postal Service as a rural letter carrier. Viola loved working in her yard, watching her flowers grow and bloom and watching the birds, especially hummingbirds. She is preceded in death by her husbands, Odell Smith and Harvey Story and her beloved son, James Odell Smith. Viola is also preceded in death by her parents; Jack and Flora Campbell, brothers; Ed Campbell and Roy Gene Campbell, sisters; Frances Miller, Velma Lundy and Betty Story. She is survived by her brother, Johnny Campbell of Bloomfield, New Mexico, Daughters; Flora (Phil) Sims, Linda (Billy) Hill, Betty (Billy) Gray and Susan (Mike) Blakeney, daughter-in-law; Judy Lynn Smith. Her grandchildren are Michael (Bridget) Sims, Jamye (Tim) Adams, Daniel (Monica) Hill Ashley (Tim) Beard, Jennifer (Bruce) Gable, Jacky (Tuddy) Spradley, Julie (Shea) Smith, Nathan (Chloe) Gray, Katy (Matt) Zazain, Jeffery Blakeney, and Matthew (Holly Blakeney). There are 15 great grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren. Viola also leaves behind her bonus son and loving neighbor, Joey Toler. Services will be held Tuesday, January 27, 2026 at Memory Chapel Funeral Home in Laurel, Mississippi. Visitation is scheduled at 9:00 a.m. with funeral service following at 10:00 a.m. at Memory Chapel. Burial will be at First Baptist Church of Sharon. Officiating will be Bro. Steve Harris and Bro. Bill Langley. Serving as pall bearers will be grandsons; Michael Sims, Tuddy Spradley, Bruce Gable, Jeffery Blakeney, Matthew Blakeney and Tim Beard. Honorary pallbearers will be sons-in-law, Phil Sims, Billy Hill, Billy Gray and Mike Blakeney. The family would like to thank the West Wing staff at Comfort Care Nursing Center for taking such good care of our mother during her stay there. To view or sign the online guest book, please visit: www.memorychapellaurel.com

Flora Viola Story

April 1, 1936 - January 23, 2026