Viva Mckeever Turnbow

Viva McKeever Turnbow passed away peacefully on August 20, 2024 at Hendrick Hospital in Abilene after a short illness, at the age of 95.  Viva was born Viva Irene McKeever on December 23, 1928, the youngest child of Abb and Lota McKeever on the McKeever homeplace 2-1/2 miles southwest of the Funston community.  She was the grand-daughter of W.H. and Parlee McKeever who settled in Jones County in the late 1800’s.  She started school at the age of 4 at the Oak Grove School in the Funston community and then graduated from Anson High School in 1945.  She entered Hardin Simmons University in the Fall of 1945 at the age of 16, where she received high marks.  In 1948, she married Harris Wright, whom she had grown up with and who was also a student at Hardin Simmons.  She and Harris returned to Anson and engaged in farming / ranching and then started Jones County Farm Bureau Insurance in Anson in 1957.  They managed Jones County Farm Bureau until Harris’ death in 1964.  Viva subsequently joined Taylor County Farm Bureau Insurance in Abilene.

In 1966, Viva married James Beasley in Anson and then began work as the book-keeper for Tollison Fertilizer in Anson.  James Beasley passed away in 1969.  Viva started working for Stamford Memorial Hospital in 1970 as the Insurance Administrator. She developed strong friendships while working at Stamford Memorial that carried on for the rest of her life.

Viva married Gene Turnbow of Stamford in 1972.  Gene preceded her in death in 2019 after a 47-year marriage and Viva continued living in Stamford until her death.  Gene and Viva enjoyed travelling and after her retirement from Stamford Memorial Hospital in 1983, they spent summers in Ruidoso, NM for the next 25 years, camping in an RV park with a large group of friends.  They enjoyed horse racing, board games, and group cookouts during their summers in Ruidoso.

Viva was a member of the First Baptist Church of Stamford for more than 50 years where she attended regularly.  She was also a member of the Stamford Pierian Club for almost 20 years, serving as its President for a 2-year term.  She enjoyed monthly breakfast get-togethers with friends and a weekly card group for more than 25 years, which she would not miss for anything.  Viva was on the Board of the Bethel Cemetery Endowment Trust for more than 30 years and served as its Treasurer for 10 years. She maintained her interest in farming and ranching throughout her life and thoroughly enjoyed country rides to assess the cotton and wheat crops.

Viva will be remembered by her family as a great cook, for her beautiful hand-writing, for her bright smile and for her desire to be a part of all gatherings of family and friends.  Throughout her life, she demonstrated hard-work, discipline and determination, serving as an example for her family.

Viva was also preceded in death by an older brother, Gordon McKeever in 1969, her sister, Vivian McKeever Brunette in 2002, and her nephew WA McKeever in 2018.  She is survived by her son Craig Wright and wife Cindy and son Rick Wright, granddaughter Shana Lawler and husband Brien of San Antonio, grand-son Dewane Wright and wife Kelly of Big Springs, and great grandsons Garrison, Griffin (now in school in South Dakota), and Grayson Lawler of San Antonio and Judson Wright of Lubbock.  Additionally, she is survived by her special niece, Sue McKeever Powell of Carrollton, cousin Judy Gainey Bruner of Houston and several other cousins.

Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday, August 22, 2024, in the First Baptist Church of Stamford. The family will be receiving friends at the church from 1 p m until service time.  Graveside services will immediately follow at the Bethel Cemetery (Funston Community east of Anson) where all her deceased family are buried.  Pallbearers will be her grandson, grandson-in-law, and four great grandsons.  Honorary Pallbearers will be Sebastian & Martha Andrade, Danny Spraberry, Rowland Foster, Brad Bevel, David Fernandez, Jerry & Barbara Terrell, JoAnn Denson, Jue Pritchard, Naomi Parks, Lavada Rhodes, Andy McKeever and Mike McKeever.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests any memorials be made to the Bethel Cemetery Endowment Trust (2158 CR 362 Anson, TX 79501).   Online condolences may be made and viewed at www.tankersleyfuneralhome.com