Viola Anne DeVries

Viola Anne Van Noord DeVries

1941 – March 16, 2026

Viola Anne Van Noord DeVries, age 84, passed away peacefully on March 16, 2026, surrounded by the love of her family.

Viola was born in 1941 in Winnie, Texas, to Alice May Van Noord and Gerrit Van Noord. She lived a life defined by kindness, perseverance, and a deep love for children, family, and the beauty of the world around her.

Viola was a business-woman and teacher and was dedicated to her Pre-school, Little Red Schoolhouse, and the many children that attended, in Charlotte Harbor, Florida. She was a beloved preschool teacher and every young child who was under her care was family. She touched the lives of countless young children with her patient heart and caring nature. She had a special gift for making every child feel valued and safe, and many families remember her with great affection.

Outside the classroom, Viola found joy in the simple pleasures of life. She loved reading, spending quiet moments with a good book, and she had a special appreciation for nature. Gardening and bird watching were among her favorite pastimes, and she delighted in the beauty of flowers blooming and birds visiting her yard.

Viola’s greatest pride and joy, however, was her family. She is survived by her three daughters, Paula Moore, Debra Borkowski, and Carole Wilburn, along with their husbands. She was a proud grandmother to 10 grandchildren and a cherished great-grandmother to 16 great-grandchildren, all of whom brought her immense happiness.

She is also survived by her sisters, Esther Piers and Ruth VanNoord, and her brother, Eugene VanNoord, along with many extended family members and friends who will remember her warmth and love.

Viola will be remembered as a loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, teacher, and friend. Her strength of spirit and faithfulness to the Lord, along with her deep love for family, will continue to live on in the many lives she touched.

Her family rejoices in the assurance that she is now in the presence of her Savior.

Family and friends are invited to attend her graveside service on Friday, March 20, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at Gulf Pines Memorial Gardens, 19361 28th Street, Long Beach, MS 39560.

Riemann Family Funeral Home, Long Beach, is honored to serve the DeVries family during this difficult time.