Violet, affectionately known as "Vi", was born in Austin, Texas, grew up on 8th Street, attended Blackshear Elementary, Kealing Junior High, and Anderson High School. She accepted Christ at an early age and attended church every Sunday. She was the one who stood out and found a church home when her family did not have one. She had fond memories of playing baseball at Rosewood Park and enjoying the Ferris wheel and roller coaster when the carnival came to town.

She graduated from Crescents Institute of Cosmetology in 1961 and began working as a shampoo girl at Mr. Joseph's on Enfield Road, the first step in a lengthy career.

At a young age, she married Robert Otha Hill, and through that union Linda Marie Hill was born. Later, she met and married a military man, Palmer J. Smith, and she and her daughter moved with him to Del Rio, Texas, Tucson, Arizona, followed by a four year stay in Madrid, Spain. While there, she learned Castilian Spanish and was able to converse with her Spanish housekeeper and dressmaker.

In July 1970, the couple moved to Riverside, California, where Vi lived while her husband was on tour. He was later stationed in San Bernardino, California, and Vi remained there until March of 2009.

To practice her stylist career in California, Vi had to go back to school. The 1200 hours she had amassed in Austin did not transfer because it was a black school. She earned 600 hours at Riverside City College and was then able to work with clients of all races. She worked at March Air Force Base Beauty Salon as a stylist and manager until October 1977.

Her stylist career spanned 32 years, 17 of which were in her own salon, Vi's Key to Beauty, located in Moreno Valley, California, which she opened on November 15, 1977. She was the first black person to open a hair salon in the Moreno Valley area.

When Vi retired from making people beautiful, she began a career as a volunteer. She lived in an apartment for seniors and gave her time leasing and inspecting apartments. She also managed the consignment shop. The proceeds from the sales were used for parties, dinners, and elaborate holiday celebrations for the seniors.

During her years as a volunteer, Vi went to numerous cities and states for training, receiving around thirty certificates. She was Volunteer of the Year in 2004 for her work with the Baseline Plaza Co-op. In addition to keeping seniors happy, she served as both Sergeant-At-Arms and Poppy Chairman for the American Legion ladies auxiliary. She enjoyed staying busy and doing good things on behalf of others.

While in California, Vi, her daughter, and her granddaughter were members of Vine Life Christian Fellowship Church, which has a congregation of over 1,000 people. They were led by Dr. Robert L. Wilks, Jr. Vi moved back to Texas in 2009 to live for a while with her daughter and granddaughter in the Colony located in Bastrop.

When she moved to Austin, she became a member of Unity Hill Baptist Church, where her brother, Rev. Arvy Crayton, was the minister. Her faith was the foundation of her life.

In 2010, she moved into a newly constructed apartment for seniors, this time as a resident only and not to volunteer. After learning about the Conley-Guerrero Senior Center from another participant, she began playing Bingo there and loved it. When the need for a Bingo caller arose, Vi did not hesitate to step up. She also liked playing cards and dominoes.

Violet was well named. She was vibrant and looked lovely in all shades of violet. She was a delightful person with an easy smile. Those who conversed with her quickly learned that she was interesting and pleasant to talk to.

She has supported the following organizations over the years: AMC Research Center Riverside, the Black History Committee of Moreno Valley and Riverside, The Inland Area Urban League Guilds (The Miss Black Area Pageant), the NAACP Riverside, and the National Council of Negro Women of Moreno Valley, California.

Violet was preceded in death by her father Claude Crayton, Sr., her mother, Stella Elgin Crayton, her beloved brother, Claude "Sugarman" Crayton, Jr. and her twin brother and sister, Bobby Ray Crayton and Lena May Mercer. She is survived by her daughter, Linda Hill of Manor, Texas, and her granddaughter, Jill Chandler, of Manor, Texas; sisters Zora Walker of Las Vegas, Nevada, Clara Cobble of Austin, Texas, Mary Alice Burton of Austin, Texas, brothers Rev. Arvy Crayton (Alma) and Ernest Crayton, Sr., both of Austin, Texas, and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and wonderful friends.