Vivian Lee Toulis

Vivian Lee (Craven) Toulis

January 27, 1942-April 14, 2026

Vivian Lee (Craven) Toulis, 84, of Evans, Georgia, passed away peacefully in the loving care of her daughters and son-in-law following a brief illness.

Born January 27, 1942, she was the daughter of Ruby (Renner) Howell of Fairmount, IN and Harold Craven, South Bend, IN and step-father, Hubert Howell of Fairmount, IN. Vivian was born in Greeneville, TN, along with her brother, Dennis Craven. The family moved to Fairmount, IN, when Vivian was four and made a lifetime of cherished memories in the small town. Her mother, Ruby, married Hubert Howell, and baby sister, Bobbie Jo (Howell) Dickey was born into the family.

Vivian grew up with a love of animals, fostered by her maternal grandparents, who would visit in Fairmount, once bringing a small pony to the grandkids in the back of the family car. As a child, the family had many small dogs, bantam chickens, a mynah bird, and even a pet monkey. Members of the First Christian Church in Fairmount, IN, Vivian was very close with her paternal grandmother, Gladys Howell, and taught Sunday School Classes there.

Graduating from the Fairmount High School in 1960, Viv was very involved in school activities. She was the secretary of her class, a cheerleader, a majorette, and prom queen. She remained in close contact with her FHS classmates, and especially with her lifetime best friends, Patty (Jones) Wood, Rosyln (Carter) McCarty, Melanie (Woolen) Baker, and Kay (Gaither) Swartz-Stookey. Vivian enjoyed class reunions, riding on the class float in the James Dean Days Parade, and celebrating milestones with her special friends.

Vivian had 3 daughters, Christina, Jannene, and Kari, raising them on a farm in Fairmount, IN, with horses and a multitude of stray cats and dogs. Her beloved niece, Jo-ell (Titus) Williams, was a bonus daughter, spending a lot of time at the house in the country. Vivian would host the family get-togethers, lovingly cooking and baking for each holiday and event. The family became very active in Bobbie's Marching Corp., her daughters twirling batons and marching in parades, and Viv serving in the parent's organization.

Vivian graduated from Ivy Tech Community College, earning an Associate's Degree. She was employed by Marion General Hospital, working in Admitting in the Radiology Department. She spent many years working evenings at Rosie's Little Italy, in Marion, IN, making many friendships along the way.

Following her daughter Jannene's military career, Vivian traveled the world. Her adventures included visiting every island in Hawaii, London, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, and Hungary. Notably, the small town girl showed much courage in moving to London, working on the Navy Base there and commuting on the London Tube. She was a very proud homeowner of a beautiful home on Main Street, Fairmount, with apartments that she rented out, alongside her daughter, Christina. She then moved to Camarillo, CA, with her daughter, Kari, and son-in-law, JT, to help raise her granddaughter, Shea Lynn. She was active in her granddaughter's schooling, activities, and dance competitions. She volunteered in Camarillo as a docent at the Camarillo Ranch House, at the local animal shelter, and for the Republican Women Federated. She retired in Evans, GA, with her daughter, Jannene, volunteering for the Columbia and Richmond County Republican Women Federated and various animal rescue groups.

Vivian was a kind, compassionate, nurturing, hard-working, and very loving woman who devoted her life in service to others. A faithful mother and homemaker, her life took some unexpected turns, but she persevered, surrounding herself with her family and friends. Her warmth, generosity, and sense of humor will be greatly missed.

Vivian was preceded in death by her parents, Ruby (Renner) Howell, Harold Craven, and step-father, Hubert Howell, her daughter, Christina (Toulis) Bennett, brother, Denny Craven, Brother-in-law, James Dickey, and niece, Radeana Titus.

Those left to cherish her memory include her loving daughters, Jannene (Craig) Olson, Kari (JT) Skidmore, beloved granddaughter, Shea Lynn, grandson, Jeremiah Olson, sister Bobbie Dickey, sister-in-law, Betty Craven, nieces and nephews, her many friends who were like family, and her special, bonus granddaughter, Marion Heusel.

The body will be cremated in respect of her wishes. Arrangements for Vivian have been entrusted to the Fairmount Chapel of Armes-Hunt Live Celebration Funeral Home, 415 South Main Street, Fairmount, Indiana 46928, where a memorial service will be held on May 2, 2026, from 1:00-3:00 p.m. A private, family burial will take place at Park Cemetery, in Fairmount, IN. 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Brass Knuckle Pin Ups Rescue for dogs: BKPUR, 1918 Colony Park Road, Augusta GA 30909 or via Zelle, brassknucklepinupsrescue@gmail.com