Vivian Frances (Kayser) Bodishbaugh

Vivian Frances (Kayser) Bodishbaugh, 86, entered heaven's gates on May 19, 2011 at Clearwater, Florida. Daughter of Lou Vera (Dreher) and Louis C. Kayser Sr., Vivian was born Feb. 2, 1925 on Arch Street Pike, Pulaski County. Vivian attended Pulaski County schools, was a member of the National Honor Society, president of the Latin Club, member of Quill and Scroll International Honorary Society for High School Journalists, and graduated 1943 valedictorian of North Little Rock High School. She married Fay Erion Bodishbaugh, son of Lucy (Erion) and Charles F. Bodishbaugh. They met at Arkansas' Courthouse, where Fay was Deputy Court Clerk. For generations, both their families served Arkansas government and politics. Widowed at age 28 with three boys under age six, Vivian returned to school and work. She was a legal secretary for several law firms, then served the State as legal secretary to the chairman of Arkansas State Commission on Workmen's Compensation. She was president of Greater Little Rock's Chapter of the National Legal Secretaries Association; a member and past president of Pulaski County Legal Secretaries; Arkansas and National Democratic Women's Club; served on the Womens Guild of St. Paul's and as president of St. Paul's Church Council. She founded and ran ABC [Arkansas' Best] Court Reporting, the largest court reporting business in the south. A member of First United Methodist Church, Little Rock, she established the Sunday phone service program for shut-ins. She was a charter member of the American Rosie the Riveters' Assoc., volunteered for AARP, Arkansas Arts Council and UAMS Reynolds Center. She sold her court reporting business, relocated with the intention of retirement, grew bored and for 10 years was legal secretary to the head counsel of the Legal Department of the International Shrine at their Tampa headquarters. On her 75th birthday, President Bill Clinton presented her with a flag flown over the nation's capital, in honor of her family's 100+ years of service to Arkansas government. Her business documents were donated to the Clinton Presidential Library, Little Rock. She returned to Florida sunsets, palm trees and the birds. Her lifelong love of birds was a source of great comfort and joy to her. Survived by sons: Charles (Sue) Bodishbaugh, Patrick (Robin) Bodishbaugh, and Timothy (Christina) Bodishbaugh; sisters: Edith K Jester and Miriam K. (John) Coulehan; nine grandchildren: Dorothy (Dale Meek) Krumbholz, Saxby Chaplin III, Todd (Michele) Chaplin, David (Melissa) Ridgeway, Ashley (Bruce) Rushford, Kristen (Adam) Parkhurst, Brian (Genie) Bearden, Erin Bodishbaugh, Nichole (Jesse) Evans, Michael (Lisa) Stiers, and Ashley (Brian) McKinnon; 32 great-grandchildren, five great-great-grandchildren; four nieces, two nephews and many cousins. Predeceased by her husband, parents, step-mother, Cora Smith Kayser, brother, Louis C. Kayser Jr., half-sister, Gradene Hamm, grandson, Jonathan Conlee Bodishbaugh, nephew, Jeffrey Kayser; brothers-in-law: Donavan Bodishbaugh, Doug Jester and Fay Hamm; sisters-in-law: Jewel Bodishbaugh, Edna Ruth Bodishbaugh, and Joan Kayser. Services through National Cremation Society, Clearwater and North Little Rock Funeral Home. Burial at Oakland Cemetery, Little Rock. According to her wishes, a Celebration of Life will be held in Little Rock at a later date. The family extends heartfelt thanks to Dr. Virginia Akins, UAMS-Arkansas, Advanced Rehabilitation of Clearwater and Suncoast Hospice, for their loving care. Donations in her name to: International Shrine Headquarters, 2900 Rocky Point Drive, Tampa, Fla. 33607-1460.