Vivian (Johnson) Powell
Vivian Ophelia (Johnson) Powell, 86, of Brunswick, MO, passed away on Monday, September 1, 2025 at the Brunswick Health Care Center. A memorial service will be held at Breshears Memorial Chapel in Brunswick, MO on Saturday, September 20, 2025 at 12:00 P.M. Reverend Kentrell Lee will officiate the service. A visitation will precede the service from 11:00 A.M.-12:00 P.M. A private family burial will be held at a later date.
Vivian was born on October 10, 1938 in Dalton, MO, the daughter of William Clarence and Erma Mae (Adams) Johnson. She attended school at Dalton Vocational School and later went on to earn her GED. On April 19, 1969, Vivian was united in marriage to Jesse Powell. After fifty years of marriage, Jesse preceded Vivian in passing on December 16, 2019.
Vivian was employed by Banquet Foods in Carrollton, MO, as well as Jomac Glove Company, in Brunswick, MO where she retired after working from the day it opened until the day it closed.
Vivian loved spending time with her family and friends, especially her grandchildren. In her spare time, she enjoyed taking day trips to the casino, fishing, and traveling. She was an active member of the First Missionary Baptist Church in Brunswick, MO where she served as the church clerk.
Vivian is survived by four children, Twila Ervin of Brunswick, MO, Marcia Ervin of Kansas City, MO, Darrell Ervin and his wife Christi of Marshall, MO, and Michelle Thames and her husband Kelly of St. Louis, MO; thirteen grandchildren; twenty-one great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; and one sister-in-law, Lavella Evans of Charlotte, NC.
She was preceded in death by her parents, William Clarence and Erma Johnson; husbands, Charles Ervin and Jesse Powell; two sons, Keith and Howard Ervin; and three sisters-in-law, Sophia Arnold, Joeretta Gilkey and Ruth Tatum.
Honorary pallbearers will be Jakob Huff, Kellen Thames, Kaden Huff, Brent Hopkins, Michael Hopkins, Javeon Ervin, Camden Moss, and Kyrie Moss.
In lieu of flowers the family requests memorial donations to LYBL (Live Your Best Life) Residential Care in Marshall, MO. Donations may be left at or mailed to Breshears Memorial Chapel, 207 W. Broadway, Brunswick, MO, 65236.