Vivian Jo Ann Brien Smith was born on July 3, 1946 in McComb, MS. Just as she turned 16 years old, she met the love of her life, George Roddie Smith III, and six weeks later they were married. August 20th of this year would have been their 60th wedding anniversary.
In 1966 following a James Robinson crusade, Rod was called to the ministry, and Vivian knew he had been called before he even told her! And so began a lifetime together of serving the Lord, from handing out tracks on the streets to pastoring churches, visiting prisons to building churches in Central America. No matter what direction God lead them, Vivian was the quintessential pastor's wife and never failed to live up to her calling.
Vivian always had a ministry of her own. Her spiritual gift was loving others and there was a myriad of ways she administered it. Whether by entertaining visiting ministers or cooking and crafting for friends, family, and strangers alike, the love of Jesus was always readily apparent in and through her. Honestly, we would not be surprised if she had managed to pray for every person on the planet at some time or other.
When she set her mind to something nothing could stop her. She had always wanted a college degree and she a wonderful artistic talent. She started college while she still had four children at home and on May 10, 2002, at 55 years old, she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree from University of Southern Mississippi, one of her most loved accomplishments.
Vivian led a full, happy, and blessed life, and although she is no longer here, her life is far from over. Her love lives on in all the lives she touched and her eternal
Life has just begun. She went to her eternal home on March 12, 2022. She was surrounded by her husband, four children and son-in-law, several grandchildren, and some of her closest friends as they prayed and sang to her as she went to meet her Savior face to face. There simply isn't much more you could ask for in life or in death, and we can rejoice in knowing that she is whole again and free from the pains of this world!
Vivian is survived by her husband Dr. George "Rod" Smith III, her daughter Theresa Smith, her daughter and son-in-law Stephanie and Marlin Goodnight, daughter Cordelia Smith, son and daughter-in-law Jeremy and Carol Smith, 7 grandchildren, 4 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her dearest Aunt Marilyn Dick, all of her siblings Peter Brien, Barbara Perkins, Kelly Brien, Estelle Hubbell, and Lin Williams along with many nieces and nephews, all very dear to her heart.
