Viola Wilmot

Viola Dorine Wilmot, 97, passed away on February 8, 2026. She was born on April 22, 1928, in Sunbright, Tennessee, to the late Ezekiel Leo Strunk and Gladys Geneva Phillips Sloane.

Alongside being dedicated to her family, Viola held numerous achievements throughout her life that give a glimpse of the phenomenal woman she was.  In the 1950’s-1960’s, Viola worked for MGM and 20^th Century FOX as a production assistant on Raintree County, April Love, Misty of Chincoteague, The Long, Hot Summer, and Home From the Hill. She worked at the Kentucky State Hospital in 1960’s as their chief clerk, and the court reporter in the 1970’s-1980’s for the 13^th Judicial District which included Lincoln, Garrard, and Jessamine counties. Viola was a permanent member of the Senior Citizen Board, as well as a past president of the Business & Professional Women’s Club for Lincoln Co., the Lincoln Co. Republican Women’s Club, and the Stanford Women’s Club.  She was also very active with Pioneer Playhouse.  In addition to her husband Ben Wilmot, she was preceded in death by her grandson Jeremy Portwood.

Viola is survived by her daughters Thea “Jean” (Bob) Denny and Suzanne “Suzie” Portwood, and her son Steven (Denise) Kapp, grandchildren, Thea (Lon) Long, Aaron (Jessica) Denny, Joshua Portwood, Josh (Amanda) Midkiff, Travis (Dana) Midkiff, Lindsey (Josh) Coleman, and Keri (Jason) Moreland, great-grandmother of 16, with two more on the way, a cousin, Linda Young, and numerous extended family members.

Visitation will be held from 5 pm to 7 pm on Thursday, February 12, 2026, at Stith Funeral Home in Danville. The Funeral Service will be at 1 pm on Friday, February 13, 2026, at Stith Funeral Home in Danville.  Kevin Pittman will officiate. Burial will be held at Bellevue Cemetery following the funeral service. Pallbearers will be Lon Long, Aaron Denny, Collins Denny, Joshua Portwood, Skylar Long, Brayden West, and Daylen Pendygraft. Honorary Pallbearers include Dr.  David Overstreet, Tommy McGirr, and Mike Harmon.