Wilda Vivian Turner Powell

On Monday, March 21, 2022, Wilda Vivian Turner Powell, 96, of Columbia, Mississippi, joined her family and friends at rest until Jesus comes again. She was born in Marion County to Jesse and Minnie Ward Turner and was raised by her loving grandparents, William ”Bill” and Laura Holmes Ward. She was a published author, award-winning poet, artist of oil paints, lover of all animals (especially birds), flowers and nature, and loved antiques, genealogy, and keeping old-time ways and memories alive. Wilda was a lifelong resident of Marion County and a member of the Columbia Seventh-Day Adventist Church.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Thomas Lofton Powell (1919 - 1992); her grandparents; her parents; a sister, Virginia Turner Kelly; and two brothers, Vernon Turner and James Irl Turner. Wilda is survived by one son, Duane C. Powell; a daughter-in-law, Lynne Powell; a sister, Sherry Turner Young of Alabama; a granddaughter, Tammy Powell Bailey (Kevin) of Georgia; grandchildren, Mark, Renae, and Evan Powell; seven great-grandchildren, Amber Bailey, Laken Bailey Johnsa (Chris), Loryn Bailey, Kalyn Bailey Reyna (Damian), Ethan Powell, Cooper Powell, and Hailey Powell; and seven great-great-grandchildren, Jace Jett, Jadyn Jett, Jaxon Jett, Javen Jett, Ella Johnsa, Evie Johnsa, and Atticus Reyna.

The funeral service for Wilda will be at the graveside in Antioch Cemetery, where she will be laid to rest, on Wednesday, March 23, 2022, at 10:00am.