Ava Yvonne Cave
Ava Yvonne (Myrick) Cave of McKinney, Texas passed away on September 22, 2021 at the age of 94 with family by her side.
Ava was born on February 23, 1927 to Velma O. Myrick and Essie M. (Combest) Myrick in Blue Ridge, Texas. She attended Blue Ridge and Melissa High Schools. While Ava was playing basketball in Melissa a young man named James Malcom Cave saw her and told his friend, “That’s the girl I’m going to marry.” and he did. Ava married James Malcom “Malc” Cave on June 23, 1943 in McKinney, Texas.
At an early age, Ava showed her caring heart for others. As an 8-year-old girl, she took over the responsibilities of caring for her ill grandmother and a house full of kids. Ava took care of the home and kept everyone fed. Her granny often told her to always remember, “I need you and you need me.” This quote has been repeated many times over the years in our home.
Ava’s God given gift as a caregiver helped to make her an amazing mother. Her family can remember the wonderful meals she made, especially her coconut and pecan pie and homemade fried chicken.
She was a tidy housekeeper; she loved keeping things clean. Ava always had a broom in her hand and extra vacuums stored throughout the house. Not only would she tirelessly work to keep her own home clean, she could often be found cleaning other family members’ homes, even though they did not ask her to.
Outside of the home, Ava supported Malc’s preaching ministry throughout their lives together, serving families in McKinney, Arlington, Dallas, South Texas, Antlers, Oklahoma and Ennis, Texas. They served the Lord together for 70 years before Malc passed away. After this loss, Ava continued her ministry by showing God’s love to each and every person she met.
Later in life, Ava got to go on many adventures all over the country with her beloved daughters. More than anything, Ava loved her kids and family. Her final words were telling everyone to love each other and to teach the children. Selfless in everything she did, Ava’s heart was about others all of her life.
Ava is survived by her daughters, Lavon Fisher and husband, Bentley of Bella Vista, Arkansas, Sherry Schlager of McKinney, Texas, Becka Tomberlin and husband, Paul of Scurry, Texas and Deborah Tarpley-Johnson and husband, Bobby of Allen, Texas; grandchildren, Tina, B.J., Noel, Kimberly, Heather, Bradly, Natalie, Bryan, Stephen, Cody, Greg, Kevin and Bridgett; 14 greatgrandchildren; and 9 great-great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Velma and Essie Myrick; husband, James Malcom Cave; sisters, Ima Lou Smith, Wilma Crum, and Flossie Gower; granddaughter, Angela Moore; great-grandson, Jarod Moore; sons-in-law, Randy Schlager and Don Tarpley; and grandson-in-law, Mark Shirley.
The family will receive friends during a visitation on Friday, October 1, 2021 from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. at Turrentine-Jackson-Morrow Funeral Home, 2525 Central Expressway North, Allen, Texas 75013.
A funeral service will be held at 1:00 p.m., Saturday, October 2, 2021 in the Chapel at Cottonwood Creek Church, 1015 Sam Rayburn Tollway, Allen, Texas 75013. Following the service, a procession will make its way to Blue Ridge Cemetery in Blue Ridge, Texas for a committal service.
The family would like to offer our gratitude and love for all the prayers, words of comfort and love.
Special thanks to the staff of Texas Home Health Hospice, Senior Helpers, VA assist and friends during this time.
To convey condolences and to sign an online registry, please visit www.tjmfuneral.com.
