As gently as she lived this life, Virginia Mae Curry McVicker departed it on June 4, 2018. Mrs. McVicker, known to friends far and wide as Jenne, was born on May 21, 1923, the second daughter and fifth child of Alfred Foy and Bess Arnett Curry. Jenne delighted in telling the story of her four-year-old sister, Betty, who, promised a surprise as she was led to stay with neighbors on the day of the birth, was disappointed to learn she had been given a baby sister and not a play lemonade set. That was surely the last time Jenne was a disappointment to the family and friends and neighbors she loved and served.

She was a devoted daughter. After her father died in 1962, Jenne stepped in to care for her mother. She brought her to Muleshoe, where Jenne and her husband, Mac, had settled early in their marriage and raised their family. When care in her home became impossible Jenne moved her mother to the local rest home. Jenne was a daily presence there and, in overseeing her mother’s care she began the process of improving care for all the home’s residents. Her volunteer work in the rest home led her to join the medical auxiliary, where she spearheaded the opening of a thrift shop to raise funds for the hospital.

She was a devoted wife for 56 years. Jenne married J.E., “Mac,” McVicker on April 9, 1944. She supported him in his long career with Peerless Pump. When Mac was diagnosed with Myasthenia Gravis, she became his partner in care, treatment and research. Together they started the Northwest Chapter of the Myasthenia Gravis Foundation. Jenne and Mac brought in specialists from across the nation to examine and treat patients in the northwest Texas region. As tirelessly as Jenne worked to improve the medical care for Myasthenia Gravis patients, just as tirelessly did she pray for them, and for their doctors.

She was a devoted citizen of Muleshoe, the town she called home. And Muleshoe returned that devotion, electing her to City Council and naming her Woman of the Year in 1982. Her interest in the history of her town led her to become a founding member of the Muleshoe Heritage Foundation. A section of the town has become a museum of settlers’ houses and schoolrooms filled with artifacts from life on the frontier.

She was a devoted Christian. Jenne worshipped and served at First United Methodist Church in Muleshoe with a faithful heart. She had been born into the Methodist church and it was there that she encountered Christ, the companion of all her days. When Jenne, her health failing, had to leave Muleshoe and her church there to move to the Park Towers in Amarillo, she was reassured to look out the window of her new apartment and find that her view just across the street was of Polk Street United Methodist Church.

She was a devoted mother and grandmother to the family who remains to remember her with gratitude and love. She leaves behind four children: Jan Elizabeth (Charles) King of Amarillo, Texas; Susan Louise of Austin, Texas; John David of Lubbock, Texas; and Dan Curry (Julie) of Dallas, Texas. She leaves behind the eight grandchildren who knew her fondly as “Grandmother”: Sheri King (Neil) Klepach, Shaely Robert King (Wendy Jo), Curry King (Joseph) Willix, John Michael McVicker, Jacob Bryant McVicker; Melanie Anne McVicker; John Curry McVicker and William Robert McVicker. She leaves behind four great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild: Cal Edward (Riley) Arrott, William King Arrott, Nathan Kern Arrott, Jenne Elizabeth Arrott, and Cal and Riley’s baby, Rowen Paige Arrott.

During the long crucible of Mac’s illness, Jenne clung to the words of Isaiah 26:3, “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.” Jenne’s mind was steadfast. Throughout her long life she trusted in God. She is forever in his perfect peace.

The family extends its thanks to the staff at the Ware Living Center for the care and courtesy they showed to Jenne these past 21/2 years. This staff became a part of the larger family, all of them joined together by their love of Jenne.

Jenne made her wishes known before her death and she requested that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Muleshoe Heritage Foundation, 2200 U.S. 84, Muleshoe, Texas 79347 or First United Methodist Church, 507 W. 2nd Street, Muleshoe, Texas 79347.