VIOLET JOY MAHAN

Violet "Sis" Joy Mahan was born in Providence, KY, on March 17, 1934, to Jessie and Aubrey Beard. She grew up in a home with nine siblings during the Great Depression, so she felt the oppression of poverty. But her close and loving relationships with her many brothers and sisters made up for the economic hardship. In later years, she recalled those difficult times with fondness and always longed for her childhood home in Kentucky. As an adult, she never missed an episode of the long running show, "The Walton's", because it reminded her of her early life with her many siblings whom she dearly loved. Sadly, when Violet was eight years old, her parents divorced. She traveled by military troop train with her father and siblings, George, Jack, Tog, Helen, Dale and Don, across the country to California to start a new life. Her baby brother, Bobby, stayed behind with Mama Jesse in Kentucky, and the two oldest brothers were fighting in World War II. The family eventually settled in Woodlake, CA, where Violet attended Woodlake Union High School. Violet was the first in the family to graduate from high school, which made her father very proud. After Violet graduated from high school, her brother Don introduced her to Norris Mahan. They fell in love and married after Norris finished serving in the Korean Conflict. Norris's little brother, Dale, only 15 and without a license, drove them to Las Vegas, NV, to be married on Christmas Eve, 1954, at the Wee Kirk o' the Heather Wedding Chapel. Violet and Norris moved to Fresno, CA, and had three children, Karen, Debra, and Brian. She and Norris loved having parties with family and friends, especially their best friends, Chuck and Darlene Gatlin. As a young mom, shooting pool and playing poker with friends was one of her favorite pastimes. She and Norris even competed in billiard tournaments. For many years, Violet was a stay at home mom, but when the children reached their teens, she went to work at David & Sons. She continued to be a loyal employee of David & Sons for over 25 years. Violet loved to decorate and her home was always cheery, inviting and spotlessly clean. In middle age, she began going to yard sales nearly every weekend to find "treasures" to bring home. She was particularly fond of Depression Era items, and no matter how low the price, she loved to bargain with the seller. Afterwards, Violet loved nothing better than showing off her purchases. Violet's greatest joy was her family. Her recent visit to see family in Kentucky meant the world to her. Violet passed away on Friday, November 18, 2016. She was preceded in death by her parents; her brothers, William Teague, Harold Walls, Don Beard, Jack Beard and Frank Beard; and her sisters, Helen Loftis, and Dale Sharp. She is survived by her husband, Norris Mahan; brothers, George Beard and Bobby Corely; daughter, Karen Maxwell and her husband Michael; daughter, Debra Lehman and her husband Ken; son, Brian Mahan and ex-wife Rebecca; and her grandchildren, Jimmy Maxwell, Sarah Maxwell and her husband Chris O'Brian, Andy Maxwell, and his son Virgil, Adam Lehman, Renata Lehman, Matthew Pennington, Amanda Pennington, Kevin Mahan, Eric Mahan, Timothy Mahan, Keith Mahan, and Sam Mahan. She will also be dearly missed by her many wonderful nieces and nephews, and their families. There will be a gathering at Norris Mahan's home on Saturday, November 26, 2016, from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. to celebrate Violet's life. Family and friends are welcome to visit during this time.