Vivian Josephine Vann Blackwell Chateau

Vivian was born in Waynesboro, Mississippi on July 23, 1936. She lived in Vine Hill, Alabama until her family moved to Citronelle, Alabama in 1947. Vivian lived in Mobile, Alabama for most of her life and spent many cherished weekends at her beloved Bay House in Point Clear. Following a life most wonderfully lived, Vivian passed away on May 8, 2020.

Vivian lived in Citronelle, Alabama with her 11 brothers and sisters. Together they formed the foundation upon which a rock of a family was built. Vivian’s strength and steadfastness was molded through her upbringing, and her faith and work ethic were shaped by the example of her own mother and father before her. Vivian had an unwavering devotion to her family, and it brought her great joy to nurture and support those dear in her life.

Vivian was married to Clausell Blackwell, Jr. in December 1955. Together they had three children who she fiercely adored. The importance of family guided her in the raising of her children, as she nurtured their relationships with her own siblings and parents.

In 1973 Vivian graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Accountancy from the University of South Alabama and became a Board Certified Public Accountant in 1977. Decades later, colleagues have called her “one of the founding greats” and “a stalwart in the profession.” To that end, Vivian served as the Council President of the Alabama Society of CPA’s in 1998, as well as past Chapter Officer, Board of Directors, Alabama Tax Legislative Committee, Alabama Federal Tax Clinic Board of Trustees, the AICPA Council and the Auburn University School of Accountancy Advisory Council from 1998-2015.

In 1983, Vivian married Lt. Col. Louis Arthur Chateau, Sr. (U.S. Army, Ret.) Lou shared her zeal for entertaining and love of preparing southern cuisine for family and friends. Together with Lou, Vivian cheered on her beloved Auburn Tigers from Section 32, Row 28. For her, tailgating was an art, and their time in Auburn cultivated life-long relationships with friends that grew to be family.

Vivian and Lou also enjoyed countless weekends and summers hosting their family and friends at their beloved home on Mobile Bay, at Point Clear, Alabama. Over three decades, Vivian created cherished memories for her family as they grew through the birth of 8 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren. She delighted in her growing family.

For Vivian, to live was to give. She was most at peace and with purpose when she served others, and those that loved her knew her tireless devotion to her family, her friends, her profession, her community and her God. In addition to her professional engagements, she served on the Mobile Council Navy League and the Military Officers Association, The Mobile Chamber of Commerce and as an Elder in her church. She leaves behind her family on the sure foundation that she helped to build, and she will be forever missed.

Vivian was preceded in death by her husband, Lt. Col. Louis Arthur Chateau, Sr.; her parents, Johnnie Mose Vann and Hettie Lucy Bagby Vann; her brothers Frank M. Vann, Charles D. Vann, and John R. Vann; her sister Mary Lucy V. Prine.

She is survived by her children, Michelle B. Dudley (Bruce), Rebecca B. Chilton (Tommy), and Steven M. Blackwell (Dawn); her grandchildren, Olivia C. Wiggins (Cullen), Vivian D. Dudley, T. Logan Chilton (Michelle), Laura E. Dudley-Diaz (Edgardo), W. Pierce Chilton, Anna M. Dudley, Bailey A. Blackwell and Stella E. Blackwell; great-grandchildren A. Vann Diaz, J. Connor Diaz, William C. Wiggins, III and Gaines C. Wiggins; brothers James F. Vann (Janie), O.D. Vann (Beverly), Fred E. Vann (Deborah); sisters Virginia V. Landrum, Elizabeth V. Green (Gabe), Rebecca Sue V. Ludwig (Tom) and Dorothy V. Kerr (John).

Graveside service will be held at Pine Crest Cemetery, Citronelle, Alabama, 10:00am, May 16, 2020, followed by a Memorial Service at Trinity Presbyterian Church, Fairhope, Alabama, 2:00pm.

Memorial donations can be sent to the Vivian Vann Chateau Undergraduate Endowed Scholarship in Accounting at:

USA Office of Development

615 Clinic Drive

TRP III Suite 1500

Mobile, AL 36688-0002