Vivian Lea Avey

Vivian Lea McEntire Avey of Crete, Illinois, passed into eternal life on May 7, 2025, at the age of 87. She was born September 23, 1937, in Bruno, Arkansas, to Oscar William McEntire and Elpha Mae Davis McEntire. She adored her brother James McEntire, who was 14 years older and her sister, Leveda Manning, who was ten years her senior. She was raised on the family farm on Greasy Creek until her family moved into the city of Yellville for her to attend high school there. On the farm, her mother showed her how to cook, her father inspired her to read, her sister did her hair, and her brother taught her how to shoot a gun. All of these skills proved useful throughout her life. She was a standout basketball player for Yellville-Summit High School where she played with a lanky young athlete named Bobbie Avey, who, it just so happened, had a handsome and resourceful brother named Jim. Upon graduating from high school at the age of 17, Vivian married Jim Avey on June 11, 1955, and moved to Seattle, Washington, to seek work in the drywall construction industry. It was there that she gave birth to Justin. Work opportunity took the family to the south suburbs of Chicago, Rolla, Missouri, and back to the Chicagoland area. Vivian and Jim were blessed with four more children while in Illinois: Lianne; Valinda; Greg; and Theresa. While living in Rolla, Missouri, Vivian was baptized by Jerry Jones. After settling in Crete, Illinois, in the late 1960’s, the family became members of the Park Forest Church of Christ in Matteson. Vivian remained a faithful and beloved member of the congregation the rest of her life. She was actively involved in many ministries of the church, especially providing meals, financial support and encouragement to countless folks in need. For years, she was an active supporter of Shults-Lewis Child and Family Services in Valparaiso, Indiana. Vivian actively supported her husband as he grew the family business, first Monee Supply and then Service Drywall, and she managed several rental properties, all while raising five children and doting on 10 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. She was a beloved daughter, sister, aunt, wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. Most importantly, she was a disciple of Jesus Christ. Vivian was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Jim Avey, parents, Oscar and Elpha McEntire, her brother, James McEntire, her sister, Leveda Manning, her son, Justin Owen Avey, and her daughter, Staria Lianne Lang. She is survived by her children: Joan Avey (widow of Justin); Valinda (John) Tyson; Greg Avey; and Theresa (Steve) Link. Her grandchildren include Missy (Jason) Day, Jason (Lauren) Avey, Jamie (Jon) Miller, Caleb (Veronica) Lang, Victoria Tyson, Trey Tyson, Trevor Tyson, Sabrina (Nate) Sunday, Tristan (Phil) Kalicharan, and Quinten (Olivia) Link. She was “GiGi” to Royal Day, Harper Day, Jett Avey, Brynn Avey, Lacey Avey, Saylor Avey, Esther Miller, Josh Miller, Liza Miller, Hannah Vivian Miller, Danilo Lang, Charlie Sunday, Emma Kalicharan, and Cooper Kalicharan. She is also survived by her sister-in-law, Bobbie Huddleston, and a host of nieces and nephews. A Celebration of Life for Vivian will take place Tuesday, May 13, at the Park Forest Church of Christ, 4010 West 206th, Matteson, IL 60423. Visitation will be 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM and the memorial service will be at 1:00 PM. Burial will be at 2:30 PM at Skyline Memorial Park, 24800 S. Governors Hwy, Monee, IL 60449. Memorial arrangements are being handled by Hack-Jensen Funeral Home (www.hackfuneralhome.com and 708-946-2161) 753 Hodges St., PO Box 545, Beecher, IL 60401. Gifts in memory of Vivian Avey may be made to Shults-Lewis Child and Family Services (www.shultslewis.org and 219-462-0513), 325 S. 150 E, PO Box 471, Valparaiso, IN 46383, or the church or ministry of the donor’s choice.