Vivian Lee Toulis

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

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

Vivian grew up with a love of animals, fostered by her maternal grandparents who would visit, 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, Vivian was close with her paternal grandmother, Gladys Howell, and taught Sunday school classes there.

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

Vivian was devoted to her three daughters, Christina, Jannene, and Kari, raising them on a farm in Fairmount 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 was actively involved in Bobbie's Marching Corp., where her daughters twirled batons and marched in parades, and Viv served 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 also spent many years working evenings at Rosie's Little Italy, in Marion, making many friendships along the way.

Following her daughter Jannene's military career, Vivian traveled the world. Her adventures included visiting each Hawaiian Island, London, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, and Hungary. Notably, the small town girl showed much courage in moving to London, working on the Navy Base, and commuting on the London Underground. 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 later retired in Evans, GA, with her daughter, Jannene, where she continued her volunteer work for the Columbia and Richmond County Republican Women Federated and various animal rescue groups.

Vivian will be remembered as a kind, compassionate, and hardworking woman whose life was devoted to caring for others. A loving mother, grandmother, and friend, she met life's challenges with resilience, always surrounding herself with family and those she held dear. Her warmth, generosity, and sense of humor will be deeply 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 and Kari (JT) Skidmore; beloved granddaughter, Shea Lynn; grandson, Jeremiah Olson; sister, Bobbie Dickey; sister-in-law, Betty Craven; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, dear friends, and her special bonus granddaughter, Marion Heusel. 

In accordance with her wishes, Vivian will be cremated. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Fairmount Chapel of Armes-Hunt Life Celebration Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 415 South Main Street, Fairmount, Indiana. A memorial service will be held on May 2, 2026, with visitation from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. and the service at 2:00 p.m. A private, family burial will follow at Park Cemetery in Fairmount. Family and friends are invited to gather afterward at the Shelter House at Play Acres Park for a Celebration of Life honoring Vivian and Christina Toulis at 4:00 p.m. 

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