Vivian Octauria Edisto Berkley born on May 8, 1914 in Gaffney South Carolina to Edgar and Alethea (Alexander) Rice was called home on Friday, July 26, 2024. One hundred and ten years
of life lived joyfully dedicated to God, her family and her community. Vivian was preceded in death by her lifelong husband, Artis Berkley. She was also stepmother to his children: Artis Jr., Bertha, Lois and Flora, and grandmother to their 17 grandchildren and a host great grandchildren and friends.

Vivian’s life began in Gaffney, South Carolina. She was the second of three daughters, Thelma (Otis Price), Vivian (Artis Berkley), and Jesse Mae (Truman Randolph, Sr.). The Rice family moved from Gaffney to Caretta West Virginia. In 1928, they relocated in Charleston, West Virginia where the girls would suffer the loss of their mother. The Hill family (Leanna) would nurture them with love through a lifetime of friendship.

As a young woman, Vivian would attend Excelsior High School and she would work for the neighbors as a housekeeper and tutor as well. Vivian’s bond with her sisters led her to Cleveland, Ohio. She followed her father and Thelma and Jesse Mae in 1942.

Young Vivian Berkley’s journey with Jesus would begin on E.38th and Scovill Ave. Her life would center at Triedstone Missionary Baptist on E.38 Street. Her journey would include a
multitude of leadership positions with religious women’s organizations and community outreach programs through her church. Mother Berkley was a loved and respected Sunday School teacher at Triedstone for decades, seeing many of her students grow into adulthood Vivian, (aka, Ms. Berkley) finished Cosmetology School in 1952. She worked at Ball’s Beauty Shop at East 101″ and Cedar for well into her 70s, serving so many women with skill and loving care at her chair.

She nurtured her sisters’ children after their deaths and was not only “Aunt Bibbo “, but a confidant and trusted friend to her many nieces and nephews.

Vivian Berkley was the matriarch of the Rice Family, Price Family, and the Randolph Family.

Her kindness, wisdom, generosity, faith and most of all, laughter will be missed and cherished for all lifetimes.