Violet R. McMahan

Violet Ruth Smith McMahan June 17, 1921 - November 20, 2011 The daughter of the late Fred and Pearl Alda Smith, Violet was born in Lawrence County, Indiana, ninety years ago. Her death occurred peacefully at home in Bloomington, Indiana, surrounded by her family. She is survived by her husband of 72 years, The Rev. Donald F. McMahan, a retired Methodist minister. Also living in Bloomington are her son, The Rev. Larry W. McMahan, her daughter, Susan E. Stein, and her granddaughter, Jessica Anne Stein. Violet is also survived by her sister and brother-in-law, Helen and Marvin York in Mitchell, Indiana, her sister-in-law, Ruth Evelyn Padgett, of Bedford, Indiana, and many nieces and nephews. She was graduated from Mitchell High School in April, 1939. She also married her husband, Donald, in 1939, and worked in the Registrar's Office at Indiana University where he was a student. Violet was an integral and gracious part of her husband's pastorates in Greene and Monroe Counties,the Indiana towns of Raub, Remington, Crawfordsville, and Plainfield, as well as his administrative ministries as the Superintendent for the Greencastle, Lebanon, and South Bend Districts of the Methodist Church, and as a director of two Methodist homes for the aged, Haven Hubbard in South Bend and Asbury Towers in Greencastle. Violet and Donald enjoyed traveling in Europe, Australia and New Zealand, cruising among the Caribbean Islands, and exploring Alaska. She also loved gourmet cooking and welcoming people into her home. She was an avid reader. As a pianist she delighted in the performances of the Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University. She also liked art, especially paintings by Georgia O'Keefe and other modern artists. At home she enjoyed her flower garden and playing bridge with friends. In the 1990's Violet was a member of the Board of Directors of the Bloomington Hospital. As a member of Psi Iota Xi Sorority in earlier years she participated in medical outreach programs. She also loved being a part of the local P.E.O. women's organization for the last twenty years. Visitation will be at the Allen Funeral Home in Bloomington Tuesday, Nov. 22 from 4:00-7:00 p.m. A final visitation will be held at the First United Methodist Church in Bloomington beginning an hour before her funeral , 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. The Rev. Mark Fenstermacher, the Lead Pastor of the congregation, will officiate. The Rev. Charles T. Dupree, Rector of Trinity Episcopal Church in Bloomington, will assist. Interment will follow at the Cresthaven Cemetery in Bedford, Indiana. Memorial donations may be made to Hospice of Bloomington or the First United Methodist Church in Bloomington. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.allenfuneralhome.org.

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Violet R. McMahan

June 16, 1921 - November 20, 2011