Grace Marie Pogue (92) died peacefully at home December 17, 2022 in Kingsburg, California, surrounded by her family. Never one to miss a reason to celebrate, she took her last breath on her birthday to continue the celebration with Jesus! Grace was born to Ruth and Willard Garland December 17, 1930 in St. Paul Minnesota, and moved to Torrance, CA with her family when she was a young child. In 1947 she met the love of her life, Joe Pogue. They married in 1950 and moved to Santa Maria, CA to raise five children. She stayed quite busy as a PTA and scout leader, keeping up with kids' school projects, sewing most of our clothes, and never forgetting to have fun along the way! Very special family memories were made with many summer vacations camping in Yosemite. In 1971 they moved to Lompoc, CA where they lived for the next twenty-six years. In 1997 Grace and Joe hit the road as full-time RV travelers following the sun and playing golf. A two-year travel plan turned into twenty years of fun and adventure!

Grace was a gifted seamstress. Our most cherished possessions are the beautiful needlework gifts she made. She lovingly knitted over 30 Christmas stockings for her children and grandchildren. We have enjoyed many laughs over who has the largest stocking! Grace was an unwavering Christian, and lead a number of Bible study groups with friends she had made throughout their travels. She and Joe were married 72 wonderful years, and she would say the happiest times in her life were always with family. She loved to play cards and Scrabble, and her eyes would twinkle when she would show her grandkids how to cheat! Grace loved life's celebrations and made each holiday a very special one for her family. She never missed an  opportunity to say "Cheers!"

Grace will be greatly missed by so many. She is survived by her loving husband and partner Joe, and her five children: Jeanine Pogue Reeder, Pamela Riordan (Ray), Margaret Hansen (Roger), Joseph Pogue (Sharon), and Richard Pogue (Dianna). She is also survived by eleven grandchildren and thirteen great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. Grace is proceeded in death by one sister, Eleanor Cheney, three brothers, Clarence Garland, Bill Garland, and Jack Garland, and by daughter-in-law, Holly Pogue.

There will be a Celebration of Life for Grace January 28, 1pm, at Orchard Bible Fellowship, 2400 19th Ave., Kingsburg, CA.

We would like to express our sincere thanks to Peggy, Ashley, Karman, America, Ben, Oscar, and Henry of Compassionate Care Hospice of Fresno. We are grateful for the gentle, loving care they gave Mom, and for their kindness and the guidance they gave to the family.

In remembrance of Grace Pogue, the family asks that any charitable donations be made in memory of Grace Pogue to Tunnel to Towers Foundation ( T2T.org ), or by mail: 2361 Hylan Boulevard, Staten Island, New York 10306. This is an organization that supports our military and first responders.