AVA – Vickie L. McBride, age 77, passed away peacefully on January 1, 2025, at her home surrounded by her family. After her valiant fight and beating breast cancer in 2009, her battle then resumed at the beginning of 2024 with stage 4 cancer. She remained positive and never complained, showing her strong will to live from all the love and prayers of family, friends, and many other supporters helping her through this difficult time.

Vickie was born on February 6, 1947, in St. Louis, Missouri to parents Leland "Smitty" and Zella (Wilson) Smith. She married Clifton "Ray" McBride on August 10, 1962, in Murphysboro, Illinois. Together they enjoyed one another's company and spending time with family and friends. They moved around as a young couple while raising their daughter, eventually settling down in Ava. She started working at B & B restaurant, shortly after she went on to work at Gilster-Mary Lee, retiring after 20 years. Vickie was always there for anyone and could always count on her to help with anything. Get-togethers and family events were a delight and something she looked forward to.

Vickie is survived by her husband Ray of 62 years; children: Sherri Barnett and Michael (Jennifer) McBride; grandchildren: Kyle Baker, Karlie (Coltin) Lewis, Skyler (Ryan) Daleccio, Kolten McBride (Bria) and Kaiden McBride; great grandchildren: Lynzie Baker and Knox Lewis; and son-in-law Steve Sathoff. She is further survived by her siblings: Pepper Herron, Tom (Sue) Smith, and Zella (Jim) Kuhnert; in-laws and second family: Dale (Brenda) McBride, Gabby (Mitzie) McBride, Bruce McBride, and Carol (Jim) Davis; numerous nieces and nephews, and a large collection of friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; daughter, Sheila Baker; sisters: Sandy Swalls, Juanita "Duggie" Burris; son-in-law Scott Barnett; in-laws, Cliff and June McBride; and several brothers-in-law.

She was the heart and soul of our family and she will be dearly missed.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, January 11, 2025, 1:00 pm, at Wilson's Funeral Home, Ava, IL, with Tom Smith officiating. Burial will follow at Ava Evergreen Cemetery, Ava, IL. Visitation will be at Wilson's Funeral Home, on Saturday, January 11, 2025, where friends may call from 11:00 am until time of service. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Hospice of Southern Illinois and can be mailed to Wilson's Funeral Home, P.O. Box 277, Ava, IL 62907.  To sign guestbook, visit www.wilsonsfuneralhome.net.