Vivian Lovie Plunkett

Vivian Lovie Plunkett, 93, passed away on May 3, 2024, at the Cardiovascular Institute of Mississippi in McComb.

A time of visitation will be held from 5:30 until 8:30 p.m., Monday, May 6, at Wilson Funeral Home in Monticello. Graveside services and interment will be held at 11 a.m., May 7, at Divide Memorial Methodist Protestant Church Cemetery.

Mrs. Plunkett was born Aug. 15, 1930, in what she called “the garden of the world,” the Divide community, to Pink Smith and Lena Lambert Smith.

She attended Monticello High School and Copiah-Lincoln Community College. On Feb. 10, 1950, she wed Dennis Lavon Plunkett and began a marriage that lasted 63 years before his death in September 2013. She held various jobs over her lifetime, including secretary at various offices and schools, teaching public and private music, piano and voice lessons, assisting Mr. Plunkett with running rural stores, and managing apartment complexes, all which brought her joy.

Mrs. Plunkett was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and great-great-grandmother. Her goal was for you to never leave her home hungry. Over the years, many pots of chicken and dumplings, dishes of banana pudding, pans of homemade biscuits with tomato gravy, and other dishes graced her oven and table. No dish was ever allowed to “go beggin’” and no person was allowed to “go hungry” at her house. She knew each family member’s favorite dishes and would sometimes prepare them just for that family member. She also enjoyed crochet, gardening and flowers, and collecting items featuring her favorite animal, pigs. She was of the Methodist Protestant faith.

Preceding her in death were her parents; her husband; her sister, Patsy Smith; and one infant daughter.

Mrs. Plunkett is survived by her three daughters, Mary Maxie (Bob), of Monticello; Martha Walker (Dana), of Ruth; and Julie Wells (Phillip), of Monticello; one son, Thomas Plunkett (Michele), of Monticello; six grandchildren, Matt Maxie, of Monticello; Dawn McKenzie, of Summit; Michelle Smith (Nicholas), of Monticello; DeeDee Earls (Caleb), of Silver Creek; Kelsey Lambert (Rev. Matt), of Monticello; and Aaron Plunkett, of Monticello; nine great-grandchildren, LeAnne Walker, of Tylertown; Kayla Harvey (Tyler), of Tylertown; David McKenzie (Megan), of Hattiesburg; Brandon McKenzie, of Summit; Trey McKenzie, of Summit; Carter Smith, of Monticello; Easton Lane Earls, Ava Cate Earls, and Emma Claire Earls, all of Silver Creek; three great-great grandchildren, Weston Harvey, Isaac Harvey, and Emerie Harvey, all of Tylertown; and a host of nieces and nephews.