Vivian Virginia (Sandel) Tynes

Vivian Sandel Tynes, 98, of Lumberton, passed from this life on Tuesday, February 10, 2026. She was born on Wednesday, February 16, 1927, in Florien, Louisiana, to Luther and Alice (Thompson) Sandel Sr.

Her family lived on a full working farm and raised hogs, goats, chickens, and cattle. They also grew a vast assortment of fruit trees and vegetables. She and her sisters learned the art of preserving food by canning, drying, and pickling. The family entertainment was singing songs of praise and worship with father on the violin and mother on the piano. Vivian often spoke of being descended from two Methodist circuit rider preachers who probably had a charge of 400 miles each. They ministered to settlers in fields, cabins, or meeting houses where they spread the good news and caused in time the building of many churches across our country.

Vivian was the last of her siblings to pass away. The loss of that generation is quickly leaving. What a wealth of knowledge and wisdom they had. Her family will miss her strength and hopefully carry on in such a way.

After completing her education at Florien High School, Vivian attended nursing school, then worked for Dr. Frazier at Prothro Clinic. She will be remembered as a homemaker, and for her excellent cooking. She also was an avid gardener. She and Robert were charter members of Woodcrest Methodist Church, in Lumberton and was a very active witness to Christ, as evidenced by her gospel singing and piano playing. She also volunteered in the gift shop at St. Elizabeth Hospital in Beaumont. In 2021 she wrote and completed her book entitled “My Collections of Memories and Songs.” She gave this book as a gift to her numerous nieces and nephews.

Survivors include her daughter, Vineva Earl and her husband, William; grandchildren, Wade Earl, Kate Marie Clinard and her husband, Delbert, and Alice Lynne Tynes and her wife, Laura; great- grandson, Austin Clinard; great-great-grandson, Bryer Clinard; as well as numerous nieces, nephews and numerous other loving relatives and friends.

Vivian was preceded in death by her parents; her husband of 64 years, Robert Tynes; son, Aron Tynes; grandson, Travis Earl; great-granddaughter, Diana “DJ” Janae Tynes; brother, Luther Sandel Jr.; and sisters, Annie Pennington, Emma Savell, and Ewell Ava Hendrickson.

A gathering of Mrs. Tynes’ family and friends will begin at 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., on Tuesday, February 17, 2026 at Farmer Funeral Home Chapel. A second gathering will begin at 10:00 a.m. followed by her funeral service at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, February 18, 2026 at Prospect Community Church 1401 Prospect Rd. Florien, Louisiana 71429. Her interment will immediately follow at Prospect Cemetery in Florien.

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