Victoria L. (Vicki) Mcginnis

An angel on earth is now part of the heavenly host. Mrs. Victoria L. (Vicki) McGinnis, 53, of Decatur passed away Saturday, February 26, 2005. She will be sorely missed, as she touched the lives of all whom she met. Vicki recognized the light of God in every person no matter how lowly. She never saw a problem she did not try to fix. Vicki started every day by walking the dog, stopping at the home of all the elderly neighbors to move their newspapers from the driveway to their door so they would not have to get out in the cold. She was constantly in motion, spending much of every day caring for her parents-by-marriage, Bill and Ceylene McGinnis. She also found time to be active in the Center for Positive Aging, driving elderly participants home from classes when they did not have a ride. She was a member of Decatur First United Methodist Church, and was actively involved in United Methodist Women Circle 12, Bible Disciple Class and the Eldercare Support Group. The part of her day not spent working to improve others lives, was spent communicating her concern and joy of life through phone calls and e-mails to her friends and family. She felt that if someone was too far away for her to assist personally, she could provide the support of personal contact and prayers. In the past, Vicki supported the St. Mark United Methodist Youth Group, and worked with Fernbank and Druid Hills High School PTA's. Vicki worked several jobs. Her career in Atlanta started at the St. Mark Children's Center, where she progressed from a teacher's aide to Asst. Director. She excelled at nurturing the children, and even protected them at the risk of her own life by confronting an armed fugitive who sought to hide in the Center. She worked at Sears briefly, then began a long career in the Customer Service section of the DeKalb County Water Department. While there, she served as a "trouble-shooter", cheerfully helping "problem people" and people with problems. She was also instrumental in the conversion of the County meter reading system from paper and pencils to electronic recording. After her retirement, she devoted herself full-time to caring for others. Her most recent pursuit was the support of the interfaith story-telling events at the Central Congregational United Church of Christ, held to promote understanding between different faiths and to raise money for tsunami victims. Vicki chose to be an organ and tissue donor, so that even after her death, she could continue to help up to 50 other people. Vicki was the youngest daughter of Stephen J. Heirens and Marie Staerk of Chicago, IL, who both preceded her in death. She is survived by her husband Bill McGinnis, her children Phillip and Catherine, all residing in Decatur; her sisters Jackie Henry of Glen Ellen, IL., Mary Jo Hank of Park Ridge, IL., Carol Wilsey of Pittsfield, Mass., and Sue Trudeau of Cupertino, CA. Her extended family of cousins, nieces and nephews, friends and loved ones is way too numerous to include. A memorial service will be held Thursday, March 3, at 2:00 p.m., at Decatur First United Methodist Church at 300 E. Ponce de Leon Ave. in Decatur. Immediately following, the family will host a reception in Fellowship Hall, from 3:00 to 6:30, to allow the family and friends to share stories, memories and mementos of Vicki's life. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Center for Positive Aging (404) 872-9191 or the National Epilepsy Foundation (800) 213-5821 A. S. Turner & Sons