Mrs. Viola McDuffie Marshall-Thomas, the daughter of the late Mr. Solomon Robinson, Sr. and the late Mrs. Odell Fields (McDuffie), was born March 24, 1935 in Paxville, SC, Clarendon County.

During the early years of her life, Viola received her education in the public schools of Clarendon County. She joined Zion Hill Missionary Baptist Church and also Calvary Baptist Church, where she was a member of the Sunday School Dept. and the Young People’s Dept.

Viola, affectionately known as “Ms Vi” and “Ma Vi”, was a strong, young ambitious woman who lived life to the fullest. She loved traveling and meeting people. She would go out of her way to make people comfortable.

She moved to Miami, FL and was employed by Jackson Memorial Hospital. It was there she met her 1st husband, the late Willie Joe Marshall, through a mutual friend.

After a number of years, she transitioned to Rochester, NY where she joined St. John Missionary Baptist Church. She was employed by Action For A Better Community (ABC) and the Rochester City School District.

Years later, her gift for helping people led her to receive a certificate in training in the medical field, where she was employed with the Genesee Region Home Care and Blossom Nursing Home.

Viola was known as “the lady in the pink house on the corner.” Over the course of her life, she has received numerous awards: 1994- The Genesee Region Home Care 16 Years of Service, 2004-SKIP Generation, 2010-American Red Cross, 2015-RTS Access, 2016-Coalition of Northeast Association. She played an intricate part in many organizations, some of which are Unified Mission, Unity Community, and The Neighborhood Coalition.

Later in life, she met and married Mr. Harold Thomas. She was recognized as the strong family matriarch. Her favorite pastime was spending time with her family, she loved her grandchildren. Ma Vi was especially known for her infamous sweet potato pies, her dressing, macaroni and cheese, and Perlo rice.

Viola M. Marshall-Thomas departed this earthly life on March 24, 2017, her 82nd birthday. She is preceded in death by: her husband, Harold Thomas; 2 sons: John Franklin McDuffie, Sr. and James Joe Nathan Marshall, Sr.; 1 grandson, James Joe Nathan Marshall, Jr.; 1 brother, Solomon Robinson, Jr.; and 2 sisters: Mary Daise Johnson and Evelyn Robinson.

She leaves to celebrate her zest for life; 5 sons: Calvin (Mary) Patterson of GA, Ricky (April) Marshall, Matthew (Rochelle) Marshall, Anthony Marshall, and Tyrone Johnson all of NY; 1 daughter, Prophetess Queen Hayes of GA; her mother, Mrs. Viola Bernice Robinson of NJ; 4 brothers: Cleveland (Wanda) Robinson, Lawrence (Gracie) Robinson of NJ, Leroy Robinson of VA, and Joseph Robinson of PA; 2 sisters: Dorothy Robinson and Brenda (Johnny) Mills of NJ; a special god-daughter, Donna Smith; a special cousin, Mrs. Helen Williams; 25 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren, 1 great great-grandson, and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Rochester: March 24, 2017. Visitation Friday 7PM-9PM at the funeral home, 109 West Avenue. Home Going Celebration Saturday 11AM at St. John MBC 37 Edward St. Interment Grove place Cem.