Vivagene Wilhite

Vivagene Wilhite passed away Saturday June 15, 2019.

Memorial Service: 10 a.m. Saturday in Biggers Funeral Chapel.

Vivagene Wilhite was born November 17, 1935 in Fort Worth to the late LM and Claudia Smith. She had a happy childhood with her two brothers, two sisters, and numerous cousins in Liberator Village before moving to Lake Worth in her early teens. After high school she married LD Wilhite, Jr. and they had three daughters exactly two years apart. Viva often dressed the girls alike and spent a lot of time at home as a suburban mom. After ending her marriage in the mid 60’s she began a career as a switchboard operator. Vivagene was very skilled at her job and adapted when switchboards gave way to computers. She retired from Cook Children’s Hospital in 2003. Vivagene has enjoyed her retirement spending time with her daughters, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She never met a stranger and was loved by everyone.

Vivagene was preceded in death by her parents; siblings, Billie Shockley, Doris French, Marshall Smith, and Marvin D. Smith.

Survivors: Daughters, Judy Lynn Denson, Karen Peninger and husband, Jerry, and Sharon McGibery; grandchildren, Brent Denson, Amy Kirkpatrick, Chad Peninger and wife, Karen, Kyle Peninger and wife, Valeria, Jeff Lucas and wife, Elizabeth, and Keve McGibery; great-grandchildren, Cole Peninger, Wyatt Peninger, Hazel Cates, Jocelyn Cates, Amelia Lucas, Kyra Peninger, Landen Jones, and soon to arrive twins, Charles and Oliver Lucas; sisters-in law, Catherine Smith and Darla Smith; and numerous nieces, nephews, extended family members and friends.