Vivian Jean Truelove Kendrick

She was born on July 4, 1933 in Lepanto, Arkansas. The youngest of seven siblings, Vivian spent her childhood on multiple cotton farms in Arkansas and Missouri.

On May 30, 1953, she married her sweetheart, Charles Edmond Kendrick, and they built a beautiful life together, enjoying 63 years of marriage. Charles and Vivian shared the same birthday, the 4th of July. Each year, family and friends gathered in celebration for their birthdays and anniversaries.

Vivian’s legacy is marked by her love for children. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Education from Arkansas State University and her Master’s degree in Education from Central Missouri State University. Her true passion was kindergarten! She spent most of her years teaching in multiple schools in Missouri, Michigan, Louisiana, and Tennessee. At churches across the country, she served in children’s ministry. On a larger scale, Vivian wrote children’s literature for the Gospel Publishing House and served on an Accreditation team for the Association of Christian Teachers and Schools.

Vivian’s interests included writing, golfing, fishing, cooking and baking. She invested deeply into her church small group and Bible Study Fellowship relationships. Vivian relentlessly loved her neighbors, her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She had an effortless ability to make room for others, nurture loved ones into devoted faith, and build friendships with people of all ages. Many traveled long distances to see her and stay in her home. She enjoyed a full life with abounding energy and optimistic determination.

Vivian is survived by her son, Chuck (Darla) Kendrick; her daughter, Regina Himmelspach; her granddaughters, Mandy (Kenneth) Roberts and Tori Collins (Zack); and six great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Charles Kendrick; her parents, Harvey and Lula Truelove and siblings, Fred Truelove, Bessie Whitman, Louise Anthony, Maycle Kumpe, Raymond Truelove, and Reuben Truelove; and her son-in-law, Timothy Himmelspach.

Services will be held at on February 8, 2024 at New Life Bible Fellowship (4900 W Cortaro Farms Rd, Tucson, AZ 85742), with a Visitation scheduled from 10:00 - 11:00 AM, followed by a Funeral Service from 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to one of the following ministries in Vivian’s honor:

Teen Challenge of Arizona

P.O. Box 5966

Tucson, AZ 85703

https://tcaz.org/

New Life Bible Fellowship

4900 W Cortaro Farms Rd

Tucson, AZ 85742

https://newlifetucson.com/