Vivian Thompson Marks

Lillie Vivian Thompson, born April 30, 1933, in Birmingham, Alabama, passed away peacefully on July 20, 2025, at her home at Longleaf Assisted Living in Liberty Park, Vestavia Hills, Alabama.
A family graveside service will be held Wednesday, July 23, 2025, at 9:45 AM at Valhalla Cemetery in Midfield, Alabama. This will be followed by a memorial service at 11:00 AM at Brookwood Baptist Church, 3449 Overton Road, Mountain Brook, AL 35223.
Vivian was the youngest of five children born to John Lucious Thompson and Lillie D. Thompson. Her siblings were Iva Thompson Lambert, Samuel G. Thompson, John L. Thompson Jr. (who preceded her in death), and her surviving sister, Frances Thompson Bell.
She graduated from West End High School in 1951 and attended Birmingham-Southern College, where she was a member of Alpha Chi Omega Sorority. Vivian worked at Pizitz department store during high school and later at First National Bank of Birmingham, where she met James "Jimmy" K. Owens Jr., whom she married on October 30, 1953.
Following Jimmy's active duty at Naval Air Station Pensacola, they settled in Gordo, Alabama, where they raised their two children, James K. Owens III (Jim) and Yolande Virginia Howell (Ginger). She was a loving mother-in-law to Lynne Strickland Owens and Evan Stuart Howell, grandmother to James K. Owens IV (Jay), Joseph Benjamin Owens (Ben) and wife Rachel, Daniel H. Klein (Dani), and Rachel Beatrice Klein (B), as well as great-grandmother to April Juliette Owens (April) and Anthony James Owens (Tony).
In 1971, the family moved to Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Vivian married Floyd Bell Marks (FB) in 1976 and became his constant support in conducting his business. He preceded her in death in 1993. Vivian remained in Tuscaloosa until 2018, then moved to Birmingham to reside at Brookdale Assisted Living in Homewood, and later to Longleaf Assisted Living in Liberty Park in 2022.
Vivian had a deep love for family, the arts, music, history, architecture, and antiques. A savvy investor with a sharp mind, she enjoyed watching CNBC and managing her portfolio well into her later years. Inspired by her humble beginnings, she valued resourcefulness, thrift, and education. In her 20s, she took sewing and cooking classes from Broxie Stuckey, Gordo High School's home economics teacher, who later became a dear friend. In her 60s, she audited business classes at the University of Alabama to sharpen her financial knowledge. She was a great example of being a lifelong learner.
A lifelong pianist, Vivian began playing as a child and served as pianist for her brother's church in her youth. She continued playing throughout her life. She was a long-time member of First United Methodist Church in Tuscaloosa, and while living at Longleaf, she considered Brookwood Baptist Church and its Assisted Living Ministry her church family.
Vivian was also active in civic and arts organizations including the Las Amigas Civic Club in Gordo, known for its support of girls' scholarships, and the Bell Arts Study Club in Tuscaloosa.
In lieu of flowers, the family encourages donations to Brookwood Baptist Church, Mountain Brook, AL, First United Methodist Church, Tuscaloosa, AL, or a charity of your choice.
The family would like to thank the teams at Longleaf Assisted Living, Grandview Medical Center, and Gentle Touch Home Care and Gentiva Hospice for their compassion and dedication to her care.
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