BY ANDY  TAYLOR
Montgomery County Chronicle

CHERRYVALE — Vivian Vance, the Cherryvale-born actress who entertained several generations of television viewers, will be remembered in her hometown this week.

Vance played the role of Ethel Mertz on the “I Love Lucy” television show of the 1950s and later portrayed Vivian Bagley on a spinoff situation comedy, “The Lucy Show.” Vance died in 1979 at the age of 70.

Vance’s 100th birthday on Sunday, July 26, will be remembered with a special exhibit from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Friday, July 24, at Community National Bank, 333 E. Main. The exhibit will include various photographs, artifacts and collectibles from her professional career and her friendship with fellow actress Lucille Ball.

The display will also be available for the public next Monday, July 27 during the same hours.

On the actress’ 100th birthday on Sunday, the Cherryvale Museum at 215 E. Fourth will celebrate the milestone with free cake and punch. Extensive displays, photos, and memorabilia from her theatrical and television career will be exhibited. Several Cherryvale residents who are second cousins to Vance will cut the birthday cake and share their memories of Vivian Vance. “I Love Vivian” T-shirts, buttons, and booklets will be available for purchase.

Vivian Roberta Jones was the second of six siblings born to Robert Andrew and Euphemia Mae Ragan Jones on July 26, 1909. Vance was raised in Cherryvale as a child before her family moved to Independence, where she graduated from Independence High School.

It was shortly after high school when Jones, who later changed her last name to Vance, began a career in theatre.

In 1951, Desi Arnaz offered Vance a role in his forthcoming television series featuring Arnaz’s wife, Lucille Ball. It was to be Vance’s first foray into television, which, at that time, was in its infancy.

But the chemistry between Vance and Ball was inseparable, and the duo set a standard for comedic talent that would be replicated for future generations of sitcom viewers.

So popular was the Lucy-and-Ethel mixture of slapstick comedy that Vance would be regarded as one of modern media’s most popular sidekicks. The Washington Times on July 3 listed her as their top five “Second Bananas” in media history. Vance was among the top five, which also included Ed McMahon, Art Garfunkel and Dean Martin.

Although Vance never returned to her hometown, Cherryvale has remembered Vance in several ways, including the naming of Vivian Vance Memorial Street along Sixth Street in 2003 and the hosting of Lou Ann Graham, Vivian’s youngest sister, during a special banquet in 2008.