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FRANKLIN – Mrs. Vivian Lillie Tidwell Wilkins was born in Franklin on March 26, 1929 as the only child of Johanna Tidwell and Ben Barnes. Vivian was raised in Franklin and attended Hayden Elementary and High School.

Vivian began her professional career as a nurse at Raiford Memorial Hospital in Franklin, transitioned to Southampton Memorial Hospital and later retired from Portsmouth General Hospital in Portsmouth after 40 years of nursing.

Vivian shared almost 30 years with her husband, Claude Wilkins before his passing. Vivian was also very proud of her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She also loved making her famous rolls and cakes.

She was a founding member of New Hope Baptist Church and loved being the “Mother” of the church. She was dutiful in attendance, worked on various committees and volunteered to serve wherever she was needed. She was also a watchcare member at St. Paul’s Baptist Church in Richmond.

Vivian was preceded in death by her grandparents John and Hattie Hamlin Tidwell; father, Ben Barnes; mother, Johanna Tidwell Whitney; stepfather, Tennis Whitney; husband, Claude Wilkins; aunts, Mamie Tidwell Britt and Lillie Tidwell Johnson; uncles, Henry Tidwell and Elson Tidwell; and many other family members and friends.

Her memory will live forever in the hearts of her daughter, Joann Richardson; granddaughters, Shawnya Tolliver (Linze II), Jaida Cureton and Jaliah Richardson; great-grandchildren, Jaison Cureton, Linze Tolliver III and Shawn Laia Tolliver; beloved cousins Sandra Britt, Brenda Britt Boone, Frankie Britt, James Britt (Carrie), Barbara Brennan (Ray), James Johnson (Ivy); adopted daughters and son, Patricia Scoggins, Debra Lee Cooley, Steve Jones (Sharon); and many other family members and friends.

A public viewing will be held at the funeral home on Friday, March 18 from 2 – 6 p.m. A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, March 19, at noon at New Hope Baptist Church, 1315 Rosewood Avenue, Franklin, Virginia. On the day of the service, Mrs. Wilkins’ remains will rest in church by 10 a.m. Interment will be held in Southview Cemetery. Service provided by the professional and caring staff of Wm. M. Johnson & Sons Funeral Home, Inc. in Franklin.