Vivienne Shelby

WEST COLUMBIA - Vivienne Taylor Shelby, 94, passed away on August 24, 2012. She was born to the late John W. Taylor and Cleo Banks Taylor of Prosperity, SC (Newberry County, SC), on August 26, 1917. A sister, Miriam Taylor, and a brother, John W. Taylor, Jr., predeceased her. Her maternal grandparents were Captain John F. Banks and Anna Counts Banks; paternal grandparents were John Wilbur Taylor and Mary Long Taylor. Surviving Vivienne are her three adoring daughters: Chauncey Shelby Buchan of Myrtle Beach; Miriam Shelby McCune (Rev. Stanley) of Ledgewood, NJ; and Yvonne Shelby Evans (Daryl) of West Columbia. She also has three loving grandchildren (and two great-grandchildren). The family will miss her greatly. She graduated from Prosperity High School, attended Newberry College and then Draughon's Business College. Her employment included: Nantex Manufacturing Co. in Greenwood, SC (payroll clerk); Western Union in Bloomfield, NJ and Columbia; Swift Investment Co. in Columbia (manager); Pump and Lighting Co. in Cayce (secretary); Tree of Life Temple in Columbia (secretary); Rosewood Baptist Church in Columbia (secretary). Highlights of Vivienne's life included her love of sports. She played basketball in high school and softball for the Nantex Manufacturing team in Greenwood, SC. She was an avid fan of the University of South Carolina Gamecock football and basketball teams for many years. She enjoyed amateur acting in local and school performances and was a member of the Newberry College singers' group (conducted by Prof. Paul Enrud). She was a regular attendee of the Sunday school classes and bible learning sessions at her church. She loved working in her rose garden, vegetable garden and yard every spring and summer. She was a lover of language and helped edit her daughters' writings over the years. She delighted in all of their school activities and life accomplishments.Vivienne was a faithful member of Holland Avenue Baptist Church on 12th Street in West Columbia for many years. Her pastor, Rev. Charles M. Wilson, will conduct the funeral service at the church on Sunday, August 26th at 1:00 pm. The burial service will follow at St. Phillips Cemetery in Newberry County. Thompson Funeral Home, 4720 Augusta Road (Hwy. No. 1) in Lexington will handle arrangements, and the family will receive friends there on Saturday, August 25th from 4:00 pm to 5:30 pm for visitation. Family and friends may sign online guest book at www.thompsonsfuneral.com