Rosa Virginia "Vickie" Jimenez

Rosa Virginia “Vickie” Jimenez, 79, formerly of Corpus Christi, Texas, passed away on December 16, 2024 in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Vickie was born on July 9, 1945, in McAllen, Texas and was raised in Corpus Christi, Texas.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Mauricio S. Jimenez Sr. and Christina Rubio Jimenez; her bothers and sister-in-law, Mauricio Jr. (Evelyna) and Ramon Lee Jimenez. She is survived by her loving sister and nephew, Belinda Jimenez and Mauricio III.

Vickie graduated from Mary Carroll High School in Corpus Christi, and from Texas A & I University in Kingsville, Texas, with a B.S. in secondary education. She received her Masters degree in Bilingual Education/Curriculum from Grand Valley State University in Allendale, Michigan and attended Michigan State University.

She was a teacher for the Grand Rapids Public Schools, Lansing Public Schools, Danville, Illinois School District, and Albion Public Schools. Vickie held professional memberships in NEA, MEA, NABE, MABE, LULAC, to name a few. She was the first female Hispanic elected to a six-year term as a school board officer in Lansing, Michigan.

Vickie was highly involved in many civic organizations as a member, volunteer, task force, chairperson, board of directors, consultant and a recipient of the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) Hispanic Woman of the Year Award. She was always involved in the Catholic faith and taught Christian doctrine to the children at church.

During the years of 1980-1994, Vickie worked for the Michigan Department of Education (MDE), Lansing, Michigan. She worked on special projects where she sponsored, facilitated and moderated community groups where serious problems were addressed, discussed in formal settings, and researched, before recommending course of action toward resolution. Vickie was an Education Consultant for the Early Childhood Education Office with the MDE and conducted two of four regional statewide hearings for grants to fund preschool programs. She received a fellowship for completing a leadership development program focusing on public policy in education.

In addition to being academically accomplished, Vickie enjoyed cooking all the traditional Mexican-American dishes and was always exploring ways to upgrade dishes that her family and friends enjoyed. She enjoyed gardening – especially her roses – and listening to Spanish music. She enjoyed meeting people and made friends easily. She enjoyed traveling, and studied the educational programs of the places she traveled, including Mexico City, London, England, Spain and France. She was a strong, independent woman who loved her family and life and will be deeply missed. A private burial will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, Vicki's family has suggested a contribution to the American Cancer Society in her memory. Feel free to leave a memory or sign her personal guest book at www.heritagelifestory.com