Vivian Zaruba

Vivian Juliette Williams Zaruba, 83, of Colonial Heights, passed away on Thursday, October 4, 2018 at her residence. Born on October 15, 1934, in Southampton County, she was the daughter of the late Walter William Williams and Eunice Harrup Williams. She was lovingly raised by Bill and Annabet Williams Spain from a young age. She was preceded in death by an infant daughter, Patricia C. Zaruba; her sister, Anna Louise Williams Edwards, and a nephew, Steven W. Edwards.

Vivian retired from the Sutherland United States Post Office, with over 23 years of service, and was a member of the Colonel John Banister Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, Fort Henry Chapter of the Daughters of the American Colonists, Hampton Roads Chapter of the United States Daughters of 1812, Chesterfield Chapter 851 of the United Daughters of the Confederacy, the American Legion Auxiliary Unit 284, and a graduate of the Petersburg High School Class of 1953. Vivian was a well respected genealogist, who was willing to help anyone interested in piecing together their ancestry. She made homemade birthday cakes, delicious pies, cookies and desserts for our traditional holiday meals. She handmade Christmas stockings for each of her children and instilled in us the importance of family. She was a wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother; and her family can attest to her love of each and every one of us, and we will always remember that "love lasts forever."

She is survived by her loving husband of 63 years, Thomas C. Zaruba, Sr.; six children, Katherine Z. Chambers (Thomas), Thomas C. Zaruba, Jr. (Sherry), Judith Z. Slate (Tom), Johanna Z. Vaughan (Steve), Ellen Z. Constantine (Jeff) and John A. Zaruba (Missy); 12 grandchildren, Michael Temple (Melanie), Adam Temple (Abbey), Amanda Stoher (Glen), Lara Luebbers (Brandon), Noah Slate, Brittany Longest (Garrett), Courtney Schmitt (Taylor), Joshua Vaughan; Rebekah Crosby (Steven), Rachel Primm, Aidan and Charlotte Zaruba; eight great-grandchildren, Jayden Jefferson, Xavier Temple, Jaxon Gilley, Theodore Longest, Lindsey & Holland Schmitt and Carson & Wesley Crosby; two nieces, Connie E. Malosky (Paul) and Stacy L. Edwards; a nephew, I. Dwight Edwards (Gail); and a devoted niece, Amy Z. Cannon. A Graveside Service will be held at 12:00 p.m. Saturday October 6, 2018 in Blandford Cemetery, 319 S. Crater Road, Petersburg, Virginia 23803 with a funeral procession leaving the funeral home at 11:30 a.m. The family will receive friends from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Saturday prior to the service at the Colonial Heights Chapel of the E. Alvin Small Funeral Homes & Crematory, 2033 Boulevard, Colonial Heights, Virginia 23834. Vivian's family would like to thank Crater Community Hospice for their comfort and compassionate care shown to our Mom, especially Traci Ruffin, Joy Evans and Karren Bevan, and to Michelle Faulk for her care and dedication to both of our parents through these past few months. In lieu of flowers, Vivian's family asks that you please make a donation to the Vasculitis Foundation, P.O. Box 28660, Kansas City, Missouri 64188 or Crater Community Hospice, 3916 S. Crater Road, Petersburg, Virginia 23805. Condolences may be registered at www.ealvinsmall.com.

Visitation Details

Saturday, October 6th, 2018 10:00am - 11:30am, Colonial Heights Chapel of E. Alvin Small

Service Information

Saturday, October 6th, 2018 12:00pm, Blandford Cemetery