Vivian Lucille Howell, 94, of New Florence, MO, formerly of rural Montgomery City, MO, died on Friday, February 24, 2017 at the New Florence Care Center in Florence, MO.

Vivian was the first child of Ferrell Gilmore and Leah Marie Cole Mitchell, born October 12, 1922 in the home of her maternal grandparents, Tom and Retta Cole, near New Florence, MO. She fell in love with a young man from Wellsville, MO, named Robert Edgar Howell and they were married on January 11, 1941 at Third Baptist Church of St. Louis, MO, when she was 19 years old. GOD showered them with many blessings, including the birth of two beloved children, Richard Dennis Howell and Ruby Marie Howell Rainwater, the safe return of Robert from his service in the Army during WW-II and 72 years of marriage. Early in their marriage they made a move from St. Louis to begin a new life for their family, without electricity or running water, in a beautifully scenic valley of rural Montgomery County. Over the years Vivian spent much of her time gardening, sewing, keeping her home, raising her children, and helping Robert farm and maintain the property. She was also briefly employed in the Counseling Center at the University of Missouri, and later worked as a secretary at Montgomery County Manufacturing Co. She was a member of N. S. D. A. R., past matron of the Order of Eastern Star, and spent most of her life active in service to the GOD she loved thru her local church, serving together with Robert as youth advisors at St. John's United Church of Christ, and then later moving their membership to Montgomery City Christian Church.

Vivian is preceded in death by her husband, Robert; her parents, Ferrell and Leah Marie Mitchell; her siblings: Mary Catherine Mitchell, Mary Elizabeth Mitchell, Kenneth Wayne Mitchell, Earl Wendell Mitchell, Tommy Lew Mitchell; and her grandson, Timothy Martin Howell.

She will be missed by her children, Richard and Ruby; her daughters-in-law: Shirley Howell and Betty Howell; and her grandchildren and their spouses; Deborah and Elmer Riegel; Richard Howell, Cynthia Howell, Melissa and Mitch Lucas; John and Kristy Rainwater, Robert and April Rainwater; and Leah Rainwater as well as 18 great-grandchildren; 18 great-great-grandchildren; and many friends and neighbors. The legacy she leaves her family is her patient and unselfish love for others, and her deep and abiding faith in Jesus Christ her LORD and Savior.

Funeral services were held at 10:00 AM on Monday, February 27, 2017 at the Montgomery City Christian Church in Montgomery City, MO. The Reverend Gary Bailey officiated and interment was in the Montgomery City Cemetery in Montgomery City, MO. Visitation was held on Sunday from 2:00 PM until 4:00 PM at the Schlanker Funeral Home in Montgomery City, MO. Casketbearers included Deborah Riegel; Richard Howell, Cynthia Howell, Melissa Lucas; Robert Howell; Robert T. Howell; and Jerry Mitchell. Honorary casketbearers included Don Nevels, John Howell, Robert T. Howell and Jerry Mitchell.

Memorial contributions are suggested to the Montgomery City Christian Church or to the High Point Cemetery, c/o Schlanker Funeral Home, 207 Danville Road, Montgomery City, MO 63361.