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Virnettia Mae Caperton, 80, passed away on Nov. 20, 2018. Born Feb. 7, 1938, in Liberty, OK, to Wallace and Cassie (Golden) Townsend, Vi spent her childhood in the southern Oklahoma town of Kemp, where she graduated high school in 1956. She was the youngest of eight children. Vi married Sidney P. Caperton on Aug. 3, 1958. Sid’s Army service moved them to several places around the country before they made their home in Tishomingo. They had three children: Roy Neal Caperton, Vanessa Lea (Caperton) Morse, and Travis Collin Caperton. Vi attended Southeastern Oklahoma State University, earning her Bachelor of Arts in Education in 1961, and later, a Master of Education degree in 1970. Throughout her life, Vi was an avid reader, writer, and advocate for education. She spent most of her 30-year teaching career as a reading specialist at Tishomingo Elementary School and Junior High, helping countless children discover their ability to read while championing their confidence along the way. As an adjunct professor at Murray State College, she encouraged young adults needing remedial English composition as they worked toward achieving bigger dreams. After retiring from teaching, she continued to provide guidance for children as a counselor, social worker, and mentor at Counseling Inc. of Tishomingo. For much of her life, she kept a daily journal and occasionally wrote fictional short stories. Although she was naturally shy, the stage was one of Vi’s creative outlets. She and Sid were two of the founding members of The Way Off Broadway Players of Johnston and Marshall County, which staged sellout performances of numerous plays, including Harvey, Bus Stop, Barefoot in the Park, and other plays by Neil Simon. A devoted member of the Tishomingo First Baptist Church, Vi taught Sunday school classes and humbly volunteered wherever needed. Her grandchildren were her jewel and the reason she and Sid uprooted themselves to a new life 100 miles north in Norman. In her free time, she immersed herself in reading, most often with books on loan from the library. Vi was a friend and mother figure to many, seeing the good in everyone and accepting people as they are. She always was proud of her family and profoundly appreciative, especially in her last two years, of their loving care. Her favorite color was pink, a color that will adorn her casket. When you see a pink flower or choose to wear pink, think of her. She was preceded in death by her parents; brothers; sisters; son, Neal Caperton; and daughter, Vanessa Morse. She is survived by her husband, Sidney Caperton; son Travis Caperton and his wife, Melissa Caperton, of Norman, OK; grandchildren Kassie Drain and her husband, Steven Drain, of Dickson, OK; Jolie Caperton, Cole Caperton, and Ruby Caperton of Norman, OK; and great-grandson Wyatt Drain of Dickson, OK. A gathering for friends and family will be held at 6 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 29, at Clark Funeral Home in Tishomingo. The family will hold a private graveside service. Memorial contributions can be made to Counseling Inc., 102 N. Neshoba Ave., Tishomingo, OK 73460.

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Virnettia M. 'Vi' Caperton

February 17, 1938 - November 20, 2018