Vivian Irene Blackwell

Vivian Irene VanDover Blackwell, 81, of Naylor, Missouri, passed away on July 28, 2025, at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center in Poplar Bluff, Missouri surrounded by her family.

Vivian was born on October 4, 1943, to Albert and Mildred VanDover in Poplar Bluff, Missouri. She married Harry Blackwell on June 16, 1961.

A graduate of Neelyville High School and Arkansas State University, Vivian worked as an elementary school teacher in the Poplar Bluff and Neelyville school districts until her retirement. She was a phenomenal cook, an avid St. Louis Cardinals baseball fan, and quite the sharpshooter. She loved holidays with her family, picking out fast horses, and tending to her tomato plants. Full of fire and grace, she was fiercely proud of her daughters and grandchildren.

Vivian was preceded in death by her parents, Albert and Mildred VanDover; her husband, Harry Blackwell; her mother-in-law, Floy Blackwell; her brother- and sister-in-law, Jimmy D. and Darlene Blackwell; her niece, Jami Brown; her nephew, Joey Blackwell; and her cousin, Mildred Lunsford.

She is survived by her two daughters, Amanda Clayman of Naylor and Lori Amoss (Troy) of Albia, Iowa; four grandchildren, Anna Cate Clayman of Sherman, Texas, Brock Hunt of Paragould, Arkansas, Shay Amoss of Kennett, and Trell Amoss of Stillwater, Oklahoma. She is also survived by her brother-in-law, Robin Blackwell (Vicki) of Poplar Bluff; three nephews, Jimbo Blackwell (Pam) of Doniphan, Seth Blackwell (Crystal) of Poplar Bluff, and Clint Blackwell of Naylor; as well as numerous great-nieces and great-nephews. In addition, she is survived by her first cousins, Fred Morrow of Poplar Bluff and Robert Webb (Susan) of Farmington, along with their children.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, July 31, from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM at Cotrell Willow Ridge Funeral & Cremation Services in Poplar Bluff, Missouri. Funeral services will follow at 1:00 PM with Brother Kevin Murray officiating. Burial will take place at Cochran Cemetery in Poplar Bluff.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the charity of your choice. Alternatively, in honor of Vivian’s love for back-to-school shopping, please consider buying a student a new pair of shoes—she would have loved that.

Cotrell Willow Ridge Funeral & Cremation Services is honored to serve the friends and family of Vivian Blackwell. Online condolences can be made at www.cwrfcs.com