Ivey McGrew

Ivey McGrew passed away peacefully on February 5, 2022, in Indianapolis, Indiana, she was 99 years old.  She was dearly loved and will be deeply missed.

The youngest of five girls, she was born Bessie Lou Ivey in Boxankle, Monroe County, Georgia on October 23, 1922.  She is predeceased by her parents, Jeff P. Ivey and Nancy [Childs] Ivey and also by her sisters, Edna [Albert] Ruch, Nelle [Frank] Middlebrooks, Marie Martin Mercer [Curtis/Hugh] and Ruth [Edward] Wicks.  She is survived by her three daughters, Mary Bell, Harriet [Mark] Marcet and Barbara [John] Hoyt; four grandchildren, Darren Bell, Joy [Ken] Spencer, Nathan Bell, and Richard Burmeister; seven great-grandchildren, Alexander Beck, Taylor Massa, Ivey Campbell, Jack Massa, Savhana Campbell, Zoe Burmeister, Evie Burmeister; and three great-great-grandchildren, Destini Massa, Izzabelle Beck, and Emmi Joy Franco.

Ivey graduated from Mary Persons High School (Forsyth, Georgia) in 1939, attended Tift College for three years, and graduated from Stetson University in DeLand, Florida 1943.  Ivey married her first husband, Paul McNair Rumble, in 1943.

From 1943 to 1961, Ivey raised her family in Macon, Georgia, and worked part-time as a mechanical engineering draftsman and an architectural draftsman.  In the 1960s, Ivey moved to Traverse City, Michigan where she met and married her second husband and soul mate, Cassius LeRoy McGrew.  Following the death of her second husband in 1993, Ivey lived in various cities including, Macon, Georgia; Louisville, Kentucky; DeLand, Florida; and Indianapolis, Indiana.

Ivey worked as an architectural draftsman in Traverse City and Grand Rapids and in 1976 she achieved a lifetime goal and became a registered architect and established her own office in Grand Rapids.  She attended Fountain Street Church in Grand Rapids and spiritualist ‘psychic capital of the world’ camp at Cassadaga, Florida.  She was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution [DAR] and the United Daughters of the Confederacy [UDC].

Ivey had many hobbies and passions in life, including reading, sewing and needlework, playing bridge, cribbage, and mahjong, photography, art, architecture, genealogy, poetry, rock and mineral collecting, travel, doing crossword puzzles, and watching Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy.   She had a love for history and learning.  She loved to play games, was very competitive and wanted to win!  She loved to tell stories about her family and her childhood.  She loved the sound of Nat King Cole’s voice, dancing, ballet, music, ice skating, her favorite perfume Shalimar and she excelled at making delicious soup.  She had a narrow [AAAA] width foot and spent a lifetime looking for a pair of shoes that would fit!  She is Unforgettable.

Ivey was fortunate to enjoy a 99th birthday celebration surrounded by friends and family this past October.  We want to thank Life's Journey of Avon for taking care of her this past year.  Following her request, there will be no visitation and cremation has been accorded.  Friends may leave a memory or message of condolence by visiting the online obituary at www.arnmortuary.com or make a charitable donation to the Monroe County Historical Society at 126 East Johnston Street, Forsyth, GA 31029.