Grace Frances McVicker

Grace McVicker, 86, passed away Friday morning, June 24th, 2022, at her home in Bolivar. Grace was born on August 7, 1935, in St. Joseph, Missouri to Albert and Bertha Denton. She grew up and lived the first 21 years of her life at 4212 Duncan Street. Grace was the baby of six children. She had three sisters- Norma, Marjorie, and Mary along with two brothers- Louis and Eugene. Grace graduated with honors from Central High School in 1953. After High School, she attended and graduated from Northwest Missouri State Teachers College in Maryville, Missouri in 1957 with a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education. She was the first girl in her family to earn a college degree. Grace was an accomplished piano player. While on a weekend ministry team, she met and later fell in love with a young preacher named Monty McVicker. After a short courtship and were married on October 11, 1957. In the next 6 years, they were blessed with four children- Monty Howard, Monette Hope, Mitchell Herald, and Michael Henry who were affectionately referred to as “The M Squad”. During their early years of marriage, Grace taught 1st Grade at Cameron Elementary during the week and played the piano for worship services while Monty preached at small country churches in northern Missouri. When her husband changed his vocation from teaching high school to real estate/lake development, she was able to pursue her favorite job which was being home with her children. Grace and her family moved from Cameron, Missouri to the country outside of Omaha, Nebraska. While attending Bellevue Baptist Church, the Lord used a revival and the teachings of Jack Taylor to reveal her sin and need for God’s gift of salvation. She accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior at the age of 37. After that she had a compelling desire to know God and His Word. After living in Nebraska for 5 years, Grace and her family moved to the Gulf Shores/Foley area of Alabama. While there, she and Monty were involved in youth and college ministries. She was active in the Christian Women’s Club and played the piano for the “McVicker Chapel” at the Gulf State Park. This chapel was formed to provide a worship experience for “Snow Birds” who spent their winters in the sunny south. In 1989, Grace and Monty moved to Bolivar, Missouri and Grace re-entered the education field as a Parent Educator for Parents- As- Teachers at Bolivar Elementary for several years. During the 39 years of her marriage to Monty, Grace was his helpmeet in every way. She opened her home to foster children, high school students, international college students, and many others looking for a place of acceptance and love. Throughout her life as a believer, Grace had a heart for studying the Bible and developing a strong prayer life. She was a Sunday School Teacher, Bible Study Leader, VBS Teacher and Prayer Warrior, Women’s Retreat Leader, Released Time Education Leader, Small Group Discipleship Leader, a Good News Club Leader and a volunteer receptionist at Alpha House Pregnancy Resource Center. Grace was a faithful prayer warrior who could be found every morning pouring over her prayer notebook lifting up requests on behalf of her family members, brothers and sisters in the body of Christ and the lost. Her heart’s desire was for others to know the Lord Jesus Christ as their Savior and spend eternity with Him in Heaven one day. Grace was preceded in death by her parents and all of her siblings. She is survived by her four children: Monty and his wife June McVicker; Monette and her husband Glen Roberts; Mitch and his wife Susie McVicker; and Mike and his wife Teresa McVicker. Grace also has 10 surviving grandchildren: Nicholas, Krystal, Kayla, Micah, Sierra, Kade, Mariah, Summer, Mallie, and Ronda plus 6 great grandchildren: Abigail, Jebediah, Andrew, Navy, Ellen, and Mason. Visitation will be at Butler Funeral Home on Wednesday, June29th from 5:00-6:30 pm. A Celebration Service will be held at Wellspring Baptist Fellowship at 10:00 am on Thursday, June 30th with John Wheeler officiating. Graveside service will be at 4:00 pm on Thursday, June 30th at the Cameron Memorial Gardens Cemetery in Cameron, Missouri. Grace loved protecting the unborn and would be honored by memorial contributions made in her name to Alpha House Pregnancy Resource Center, PO Box 644, Bolivar, Missouri.

Grace Frances McVicker

August 7, 1935 - June 24, 2022