Viola Anister

Viola Vivian (Patterson) Anister, daughter of the late Robert and Hortense Patterson was born on March 24, 1936, in Baltimore, Maryland. She departed this life peacefully at the University of Maryland Medical Center on Friday, October 15, 2021, surrounded by her loving family. She received her education in the Baltimore City Public School System where she graduated from Dunbar High School in 1955. Viola married her husband Zachariah Anister on July 23, 1955. From this union, they had four children: Thomasina (Tina), Vileen, Zachary (deceased), and Valarie. Together they created a beautiful and loving family. They had a bond that was strong and unbreakable for over sixty years until Zachariah’s death in 2016. She had such a love for her children that she often spent her time volunteering at their elementary school. As time passed, she was offered a job as a teacher’s aid for preschool and kindergarten which she retired from after working for more than 30 years. Viola enjoyed life. Some of her favorite past times were going to the casino with her best friend Jan, watching football (especially the Ravens). She truly looked forward to Purple Fridays, traveling, and watching movies. A few of her favorites she could watch over and over were The Blues Brothers, American Gangster, Romeo Must Die, Scarface, and any James Bond movie. However, nothing gave her more joy than spending time with her loving family. She adored her grandchildren for they were the light of her life. She was a remarkable woman who had a beautiful smile and a bright light to shine on everyone that she encountered. Everyone that knew her called her “Mom”. To know her was to love her. Viola had a generous and giving spirit helping out anyone that she could. Always willing to lend a helping hand, an ear to listen, and a shoulder to cry on. Strength and determination were two of her strongest characteristics. For more than fifteen years she underwent dialysis treatments as she continued to survive renal disease. Getting treatment four hours a day, 3 days a week was part of her daily routine. Pain was a part of her daily life, but you would never know it because she NEVER complained. She will be truly missed, but it brings us comfort knowing that she is reunited with her loved ones in heaven.

She was preceded in death by her husband Zachariah, brother Stanley, and her beloved son Zachary. She leaves to cherish her memory, three loving and devoted daughters, Thomasina (Tina) Anister, Vileen Hicklin, Valarie Williams (Kevin); 1 special aunt, Estella Patterson; 1 devoted sister Kathleen Patterson; six grandchildren Zachary Jr. (Tynesha), Donnie (Dawn), Rashad, Adrian, Mya, and Myles; 3 great-grandchildren Janell, LaDawn, and Zae’Vion; two sisters-in-law, Lucille Alston and Deanna Richardson. Bonus son Glenn Thompkins; Bonus daughter Tonya Jackson; two very special friends Jan Pawlik and Rachel Adcock, and a host of nieces, nephews, and other family and friends.