February 8, 1972 to June 25, 2000Forever in Spirit
Homecoming Queen 1989
Coffee County Fairest of the Fair 1990
Dental HygienistActive in her community, a cherished friend to many, and a smile for everyone she met
"The lady with the smile"
My friend Vikki Lemons Hutson died on June 25, 2000 from head injuries she sustained while trying to free a man trapped in his overturned car in the median near Jackson, Tennessee the previous Sunday. That car was struck by another car. Vikki suffered a crushed brain stem from the accident.
Vikki's mother Frances Oween Lemons of Manchester, Tennessee witnessed the accident. As I feel my own pain, the tragedy for her family is something that is beyond imagination. As I continue to add to this page you will get an idea of what an angel we lost. Vikki tried for a week to hold on to life but lost her battle on Sunday, June 25, 2000. She was 28 and had only been married (for the first time:-) nine short months. She is survived by a closeknit loving family and new husband whose family could not help but fall under her angelic spell and love her as one of their own. This was especially evident in the moving eulogy by Chris's mother, as she spoke of the things Vikki loved- her husband Chris, her family, people, cats, bargain shopping, make-up, and especially teaching about taking care of teeth. Vikki was a dental hygienist. Always nice to have an angelic face looking down on you when you are in the dentist chair! And this is how Chris met her, and fell in love at first site. Years ago I asked Vikki why she wanted to be a "teeth-cleaner" of all things, she told me she wanted to help people, that is the kind of person Vikki was. I remember twenty years ago the first time I saw her; she was eight years old and I recall thinking what a beautiful child, she had a radiance of being full of love in a way that touched your heart when those big brown eyes looked up at you. Her whole expression was always one of empathy, hope, trust, and most of all love. We will add more pictures and you will understand what I mean. Vikki was the kind of person who never said a bad thing about anyone. She was the kindest, sweetest, most selfless and generous people I have ever been blessed to know. If ever there were an angel!
That she died to help another seems unfair, unjust and hurtful. But Vikki was the kind of person that even knowing the consequences of her actions, nothing on that rainy night on an interstate near Jackson would have stopped her from putting the needs of another before her own, because that is the kind of person Vikki Lemons Hutson was. As today we suffer this horrible loss, may we learn something from having her in our lives.
Vikki and Chris
May 27, 2000
Old Stone Fort State ParkAngie Sandiford's Graduation Party
Family Picture May 1999 - Vikki's wedding showerAll her siblings attended, some traveling from as far away as Chicago.
Front Row L to R James and Frances Oween LemonsBack row Cathy, Terry, Cindy, Connie and Vikki in order of age.
Photos and story by Karen Shelton
