Vivian "Thelma" Lance McGraw

Vivian “Thelma” Lance McGraw, much-loved matriarch of the McGraw family, passed from her earthly life into Heaven on Wednesday, December 31, 2025 at The Lodge at Mills River Health and Rehabilitation.

She was born to Mayo M. Lance and Elsie Surrett Lance on October 21, 1938, in Henderson County. She was the youngest of their four children, and also had 10 older half-siblings. The family lived in Mills River and also on the family farm in Polk County, known affectionately as “Happy Holler.” She was a graduate of Mills River High School.

She was pre-deceased by her beloved husband of 67 years, Victor G. McGraw, in 2024. They had resided in Fletcher for most of their married life.
She spent her career at Brooks-Howell Home in Asheville, starting there as a temp employee. She was named Administrator in 1982, a position she dedicated herself to until her retirement in 2002. She often said that serving the residents of Brooks-Howell, who were retired Methodist missionaries and deaconesses, became a ministry. She was elected Administrator of the Year – Aging Section by the United Methodist Association of Health and Welfare Ministries in 1990. Her service later continued as a member of the Brooks-Howell Advisory Board.

Retirement allowed time for travel with her husband; they toured the country in motor homes for several years. Besides family, she loved flower gardening and feeding birds. She was a member of the Old Buncombe County Genealogical Society and did extensive research on the McGraw, Lance and Surrett families.

She was an active 43-year member of Skyland United Methodist Church. There, she was on a number of committees and Bible study groups.

She is survived by her brother, J. Burl Lance (Rhea) of Fletcher and her sister, Jean Conard of Hendersonville; children Nancy McGraw Hawkins (Rob), of Fletcher, Christopher Gary McGraw (Dana) of Arden, and Manning Victor McGraw (Laura), of Fletcher. She was a proud Grandmother to Cameron McGraw (Alexa) of Nashville, TN, Elizabeth McLemore (Christian) of Asheville, Ashley McGraw of Raleigh, Rebekah Hawkins of Fletcher, Victoria McGraw, Alexandria McGraw and Jacob McGraw, all of Fletcher. She loved her step-grandchildren and their families also, Carlos Diaz (Tina), Jaymon Diaz (Christine Abbott), Rachel Hawkins (David Gibson) and Sarah Hawkins (Austin Rathbone).

Beloved great-grandchildren are Brighette McGraw, Theo Ford McGraw, Evangeline McLemore and Laramie McLemore and step-great-grandchildren Isabella Diaz and Livinia Diaz Abbott.

The family would like to thank Kathleen Rush and Kari Kopp who provided loving care and companionship in the last year of her life. Sincere thanks also go to the administration and staff of The Lodge at Mills River for their care in the last five months of her life.

A Celebration of Life will be Saturday, January 10, at 2 p.m., in the sanctuary at Skyland United Methodist Church, 1984 Hendersonville Road, Asheville NC 28803. Family visitation and refreshments will follow in the fellowship hall.

Donations in remembrance of Thelma may be made to Around the Son Preschool at Skyland United Methodist Church or to the Old Buncombe County Genealogical Society.