Violet Shirley Fischer, 74, of Weimar, died Wednesday, August 21, 2013.  She was born on January 23, 1939, in Reeves, Louisiana, to Emmer Burnett Shirley and Dean Hirschfield Shirley.

On April 4, 1981, she married Fred James “Jim” Fischer, Jr. at Saint Charles Borromeo Catholic Church in Nederland.  Vi, as she preferred to be known as, was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and homemaker. For many years she moved around the country with her devoted husband, Jim, who was an employee of Shell Oil Company. She spent one short stint in Damascus, Syria while Jim was stationed there.  After her and Jim’s retirement they spent time in Onalaska, where she was very active in her church.  Some of the various responsibilities included Alter Server, Lector and Communion Minister, and choir member at Saint Steven the Martyr Catholic Church in Pt. Blank, where she was also in charge of the Lectors and Communion Ministers scheduling.  She continued her ministries in Pagosa Springs and Bayfield, Colorado, Rosenberg, Fayetteville, and Columbus.  While in Onalaska she purchased and ran a real estate business for five years before selling it and retiring a second time.  While living in Nederland, Vi worked tirelessly to raise funds for the Holy Name Retreat Center in Beaumont, resulting in several thousand dollars in contributions.

Survivors include her husband; daughters, Melody Teague and her husband, Tommy, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana and Kimberly Ann Smith of Beaumont; sons, Michael A. Smith of Redondo Beach, California and Mark A. Smith and his wife, Michele, of Lumberton; stepchildren, Christina Bonin of Lumberton; Robert A. Fischer and his wife, Carrie, of Lumberton; James Karl Fischer and his wife, Cynthia, of Austin; Sherry Ann Hill and her husband, Kelly, of Clear Lake Shores; and Mark A. Fischer and his wife, Sharon, of Kyle; eighteen grandchildren; twelve great-grandchildren; sister, Emalene Belinge; and numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews.  She is preceded in death by her parents; son, Scott Smith; brother, Opalee Shirley; and brother-in-law, Thomas R. Fischer.

A gathering of Mrs. Fischer’s family and friends will be from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., Monday, August 26, 2013, with a Rosary at 7:00 p.m., at Broussards, 490 Cemetery Road, Silsbee.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, August 27, 2013, at Infant Jesus Catholic Church, 243 South LHS Drive, Lumberton, with interment to follow at 2:30 p.m., at Houston National Cemetery, Houston.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Alzheimer’s Association, 2909 West Holcombe Blvd., Houston, Texas 77025; Star of Hope Mission, 1811 Ruiz Street, Houston, Texas 77002; Catholic Relief Services, 228 West Lexington Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21201; Infant Jesus Catholic Church, 243 South LHS Drive, Lumberton, Texas 77657; or a charity of your choice.