Vivian McGrew

October 4, 1922 - January 17, 2012

Vivian Phillips McGrew was born November 4, 1922 in Bullard, Texas and passed away on Tuesday, January 17, 2012 at the age of 89. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, James Kennedy (Doc) McGrew, and son, Mike McGrew, as well as her parents and siblings. Her parents were Arthur and Bessie Phillips. She was one of eight children of Arthur and Bessie - brothers Leroy, Charles, Milton, and Edwin Phillips and sisters Abbie Wood, Louise Stamper, and Thelma Moody. Vivian is survived by her daughter Patricia Ann McGrew of Galveston and son Mark McGrew of Willis, six grandchildren, and two great grandchildren. Until her health began to fail, there were many things she enjoyed, especially while Doc was alive. As a family, camping, fishing, and trips back to East Texas were near the top of the list, and she enjoyed a few classic select movies. Her happy daily routine always included visits from neighbors, friends, brothers, or sisters for a cup of coffee. On many weekends it was off to Pleasure Island, where she was extremely successful in keeping the population of flounder in Sabine Lake under control. Above all else, she always occupied herself with taking care of others. Born the youngest of the eight children, she often neglected her own concerns to take care of her mother, husband, brothers, and sisters as they began to have failing health, and to help her children and others with life in general. Vivian demonstrated that you don't need to be a professional physician or nurse to be a professional quality care giver. All you need is heart, which she had in volumes, to go along with an extraordinary amount of wit and common sense. For this most of all she will be missed by many.