Grace Vermelle McCain Votteler

Passed away on March 11, 2016, in Austin. She was born Grace Vermelle McCain on April 15 1930, in Luling, Texas, to Robert D. McCain and Grace Prudence McCain. She graduated from Mineral Wells High School and went on to earn her bachelor’s degree at Southern Methodist University. She married Theodore (Ted) Paul Votteler, M.D. of Dallas, Texas on September 4, 1954, who, with Vermelle’s help, rose to become Medical Director of Surgical Services and Director of General Surgery at Children's Medical Center (CMC) in Dallas. They had two sons, Theodore Paul Votteler Jr. (Tad) and Todd Haydn Votteler, Ph.D. She is survived by her sons and daughters-in-law, Tad and Sally Ann Votteler, and Todd and Sharmon Sullivan Votteler. She is also survived by her grandchildren to whom she was always known as "Mimi"; Alexis Sutton Votteler (Brian), Theodore Paul Votteler III, Anna Grace Votteler, Victoria Frances Votteler and Caroline Elizabeth Votteler. She is also survived by nieces, Robin McCain Worthy, Lisa Anne McCulloch, Marianne Votteler, Karen and Karen’s son Blaine Carreon. She is preceded in death by her parents and brothers, Bobby McCain, Dr. Garvin McCain, Elwyn McCain, as well as her father in law and mother in law, Robert and Gladys Votteler, her brother and sister in law, Robert and Nancy Anne Votteler, and her nephew Brian McCain. She was a member of both Highland Park Presbyterian Church and the Whitefish United Methodist Church. She was also a member of the Dallas Woman’s Club, Dallas Garden Club, Dallas Junior League, and CMC Women’s Auxiliary. She and her closest friends created the IWWR and Shakespeare Clubs.

Vermelle was a combination of country girl, tomboy and urban sophisticate. She was a unique mix of homespun common sense, humor, grace and kindness. She loved traveling the globe with Ted, playing cards with her friends at South Padre Island, and working in the garden at her home in Whitefish, Montana surrounded by her friends and family. She was a wonderful cook and her work on charity cookbooks “With Tender Loving Care,” “Entertaining at Aldredge House,” and “The Dallas Jr. League Cookbook” benefitted Children's Medical Center. She was an important member and former President of the Women’s Auxiliary at CMC.

Visitation and reception will be held on Thursday, March 31st, from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m., at Sparkman/Hillcrest Funeral Home. A Memorial Service will be held at Highland Park Presbyterian Church, 3821 University in Dallas, on Friday, April 1, 2016, at 1 p.m., with Dr. Nelson Bell officiating. Memorial donations may be made in memory of Vermelle Votteler to the Whitefish United Methodist Church, PO Box 4248, Whitefish, MT 59937 or to the North Texas Food Bank Food 4 Kids.