Viola Lee Arganbright

Viola Lee Bridges Arganbright was born in Davis, Oklahoma on February 23, 1930 to parents Opa and Johnnie (Bowling) Bridges.  Viola Lee lost her mother when she was just 6 months old and lost her father when she was seven years of age. She was raised by her Grandmother Bowling where she grew up with her aunts and uncles as siblings.  She has one sister, Lavene Halavity of Duncan, Oklahoma.

In 1944 while working at the Owl Drug store in Arizona she met the love of her life Vincent Arganbright who was serving in the Army Air Corp as a pilot.  On October 15,1944 she married Vince in Phoenix, Arizona. She followed Vince to numerous air bases such as Marana Air Base near Tucson, AZ., Big Springs, TX, Marfa, TX and others. After leaving the service they moved to various cities to search for work and ultimately settled in Glendale, Arizona.  There she gave birth to four of their five sons.  They moved to Tracy, CA in 1957 where Lee gave birth to their remaining son. When her husband passed away in 2016, they had been married for 72 years.

Beautiful, sweet, wonderful, very special, kind, loving, “the best”, “she fiercely loved her family and was loved fiercely”, “never said an unkind word”- these are words that have been used to describe Viola Lee. She never met a stranger; a stranger was someone who wasn’t yet her friend but would be after their first conversation.  When anyone visited her home, she would immediately offer to make them a meal or give them a tasty treat. She was loved completely and will be missed desperately.

She was employed at The Mart, Tracy Hobby Shop and Laura Scudders Factory. She was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary, was on the selection committee for Girl’s State, was active in St. Bernard’s Church and School and a frequent volunteer at local convalescent facilities.

She passed away peacefully, in her home on Wednesday, September 1, 2021.

Viola Lee is survived by her 4 sons and 5 daughters-in law: Ron (Theda), Mark (Lois), Chris (Marguerite), Scott (Lynn) and Alannah. Fourteen grandchildren: Sarah Arganbright, Lindsay Holman (Jim), Leandra Weech, David Arganbright, Ryan Arganbright, Jennie Arganbright, Laura Viss (Mark), Crissie Alcon (Ryan), Bradley Arganbright (Carmela), Stephanie Arganbright Simpson (Shane), Brandt Hanson, Preston Locher, Lauren Arganbright and Lexie Arganbright. Nineteen great grandchildren: Haley Kumar (Raj), Ryder Arganbright, Tayson Tello, Gianna Arganbright, Grace Nemeth, Braylee Weech, Branston Weech, Jude Viss, Bella Arganbright, Celeb Fontaine Hanson, Avery Arganbright, Dane Nemeth, Logan Alcon, Vincent Arganbright, Matthew Nemeth, Owen Alcon, Rose Viss, Ryker Hanson, Makayla Hanson and one Great-Great Grandchild Myles Tello as well as numerous cousins, in laws, and other family members.  She is preceded in death by husband Vincent, son Stephen, great-grandchildren Matthew James Nemeth and Myla Viss.

The family would like to express their deepest gratitude to Annie, Bernadette, Carmen, Nia, and Neo, who’s dedicated care extended her life and her time with us.

Visitation will be held at Fry’s Memorial Chapel Monday, September 13, from 4-7pm, with Rosary at 7pm.  Funeral mass will be Tuesday, September 14, 11am at St. Bernard’s Catholic Church 163 West Eaton Avenue, Tracy with burial following at Tracy Public Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family would like any donations be made in  memory of Viola Lee Arganbright to the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America https://alzfdn.org/ .

Link for live streaming for the funeral Mass on Tuesday, September 14, 2021

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