FLAT ROCK — Vivian White Wyatt, of Flat Rock, 81, passed away Jan. 25, 2021.
She was born Vivian Nadine White in 1940 to Ruby Wilson White and Raymond White in Rockingham. She attended Wingate College and later Charlotte College, where she met and married Charles Bogard Wyatt. The couple settled in Charlotte and she became a stellar employee at Kemper Insurance, Dixie Tag & Label (later Soabar, International) and Baucom Press, Inc. in a variety of customer service capacities throughout her career. But the heart of her life’s work was raising her three girls — Penny, Wendy and Patsy. Later, Vivian and “Chuck” retired to Flat Rock in the mountains of North Carolina.
Vivian was a faithful, compassionate, forgiving, creative, persistent, intentional, respectful, delightful daughter, sister, wife, aunt, mother, neighbor, co-worker, citizen and friend to all. Vivian’s Rockingham roots, all her extended family, and her little dog, Miko, meant the world to her. She was forever grateful for the truth learned, deep friendships gained and tender care she received through the years from her faith “families” at Commonwealth Presbyterian Church, Hickory Grove Baptist Church, Calvary Church, Pinecrest Presbyterian Church and the Bible study group at Spring Haven Retirement Community, as well.
Vivian loved Chuck so well — and he loves her with all of his heart. To the very end of her life, he cared for Vivian with all he has within him.
Predeceased by her parents, Ruby and Raymond White and brothers, Glenn White and Austin White, all of Rockingham, Vivian is survived by her husband, Charles B. Wyatt of Flat Rock; and her daughters, Penny Wyatt of New Orleans, Louisiana, Wendy Page (David Page) of Greensboro, and Patsy Wyatt (Doug Hanline) of Charlotte. She will be lovingly remembered by her brothers- and sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Mrs. Wyatt tended her people as carefully and uniquely as the beautiful flowers and plants she cultivated, knowing intuitively whether to offer fertilizer, water or some strong sunny rays. Though she preferred to keep her world of home and work and worship small, Vivian’s reach was wide and deep because she knew people were important. She was keenly interested in children and delighted in encouraging what made them special. Greeting card companies have lost their greatest customer. No doubt her loved ones will miss the steady stream of cheerful acknowledgements and notes of affirmation from Aunt Vivian, Grandma Viv, Mimi, Mom or just “Viv.”
Hard work and perseverance seemed to come so naturally to Vivian, yet we know she spent many quiet moments asking her Savior to provide whatever she needed to face every challenge and opportunity she was given. She gracefully managed a simple life, full of ups and downs, with courage and calm. “Do the best with what you have” is, perhaps, the greatest of many practical life lessons she modeled so resourcefully. She would surely have dismissed all this praise as her steadfast concern for others brought her tremendous joy and she considered such devotion her God-given assignment as family, friend and neighbor.
Above all, her family desires that you thank the Lord for loaning Vivian to us all and celebrate her life of loving sacrificially.
A memorial gathering will be planned at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations via https://www.fourseasonsfdn.org/memorial-gift/circle-of-love/col-gift/ to Four Seasons Hospice of Flat Rock whose care, advocacy and guidance made it possible for Vivian’s loved ones to be by her side during her last week on earth.
Her daughters especially wish to share that her happy obsession with butterflies was a testament to her deep appreciation for the redemptive story their transformation illustrates: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” – 2 Corinthians 5:17.
