Obituary of Vivian Colwell

Memorial services for Vivian (Vicki) Martin Colwell, 90, of Lubbock, TX, will be held at 2:00 pm Wednesday, March 11, 2015, at St. Luke's United Methodist Church, Lubbock, TX, with Dr. Andy Hurst, pastor, officiating. Viewing will be held from 10:00 am until 12:00 pm, Wednesday at St. Luke's. Services are under the direction of Abell Funeral Home & Flower Shop of Abernathy, TX. Vivian (Vicki) Martin Colwell was born in Ropesville, TX on September 11, 1924. She died Friday, March 6, 2015, in Lubbock, TX. She graduated in 1942 from Slaton High School and started attending Texas Tech that June, majoring in Journalism. When she was a senior, she became the associate editor for Texas Tech's magazine The Toreador and graduated in May of 1945. She moved to Amarillo and was the associate editor of the Southwesterner magazine (the trade publication for Southwestern Public Service). One year later, she was offered a job with a new magazine called Southwestern Crop and Stock as the first woman's editor. As she was covering a story for the magazine in Plainview for a 4H Banquet, she rode with Representative George Mahon to Plainview. He offered her a job as a member of his staff. On January 1, 1950 she went to work in Washington, D.C. staying 2 years. She married Quinton T. Colwell on May 2, 1954 in Lubbock, TX. At that time, she was an active member of the First Baptist Church in Lubbock, Theta Sigma Phi (honorary journalism fraternity), Pilot Club (outstanding women in community or business leadership), Delta Theta Kai Sorority, and the Freedom Chapter of the Eastern Star. Later, she also served in leadership areas of the TSPE Wives of Engineers, as well as had memberships in the American Association of University Women and the Lubbock Women's Club. She was an active member of St. Luke's United Methodist Church for many years where she served at various times as board member, teacher, and pianist for the Homebuilder's Class. She wrote articles for the St. Luke's Visionary for eight years until October 2011. She was also active in the Llano Estacado Emmaus Community, and served as Lay Director for a Walk #10 in June of 1992. Her husband, Quinton Colwell, February 2, 2006, and daughter Tanda Trussell, October 10, 2009, preceded her in death. She is survived by her son, Kim K. Colwell and wife Carol, of Lubbock; son, Rev. Ronald K. Colwell and wife Renee, of Albuquerque; and daughter, Rene' Colwell of Lubbock; granddaughters, Lisa Setters and husband Josh, Lori Trussell, and Jennifer Charron and husband Daryl; grandsons, Nathan Colwell and wife Emilie, Brent, Tandy Justin Colwell and Ryan Hartman; and great-grandchild, Ethan. One sister also survives her, Geane King of Fort Worth; as well as several nieces and nephews. Memorials may be given to St. Luke's United Methodist Church, 3717 44th Street, Lubbock, TX 79413, or the American Cancer Society at 3511 10th Street, Lubbock, TX 79415 or to the American Diabetes Association, 8008 Slide Rd, Ste 12A, Lubbock, TX 79424.