Funeral services for William Joseph (Joe) Vann, age 88 of Flintville, will be conducted Friday, July 3, 2015 at 2:00 p.m. at the Flintville First Baptist Church with Rev. Josh Moran, Rev. Ian Bloxham, and Rev. Charles Jones officiating. Burial will follow in Flintville Cemetery. Mr. Vann passed away Tuesday, June 30, 2015 at his residence.
Mr. Vann was the son of the late Seldon Lee Vann and Edna Niles Vann and the fourth of five children. He was a native of Lincoln County where he attended Vanntown Elementary School and Flintville High School. He graduated from Middle Tennessee State College in 1950 with a BS Degree. His teaching career started at Flintville Elementary School in 1950 where he served three years as a teacher and two years as principal. He then went on to become principal of Flintville High School from 1955 – 1978 and then became principal of Flintville Junior High in 1979 when the high schools in Lincoln County were consolidated and until his retirement in 1991. During these years he served on several occasions as Lincoln County Educational Association President, chaired the Principal’s Committee and held the office of president of the Tennessee Educational Association. He was a life coach for so many young people and not only was he concerned with their education, but also with the lives they would live.
Mr. Vann served in the Navy during WWII in Japan. He was proud to be a veteran of WWII and was rarely seen not wearing his WWII cap. He never missed an opportunity to tell everyone how proud he was of his country and what a pleasure it was to serve our country.
He was a member of Flintville First Baptist Church where he served as Deacon and church treasurer and many other jobs that needed to be done for many years. He not only worked in the church he lived his life as example of his faith. This was his most rewarding position he held in life was serving his God.
Mr. Vann was a founding member of the Flintville Volunteer Fire Department. He loved Flintville, TN and he was willing to whatever it took to make this little town a better place to live.
Mr. Vann was a founding member of the 911 Board for Lincoln County. He assigned all the street address numbers for Lincoln County at the beginning. He also served as treasurer and remained in that position until he became an inactive board member. Yes, he loved Lincoln County.
He was gentle, kind, funny, constant, reverent and irreverent, flexible, patient, supportive, questioning, accepting… an amazing list of qualities we as his family will endeavor to continue in our lives and reflect to the world in honor of him.
He was a lifetime member of the Masonic Lodge and the Eastern Star.
Survivors in addition to his wife Doris (Myrick) Vann include his daughters Barbara Church and Edna Ruth (Ruthie) Jeans of Flintville. Sister-in-law Frances Myrick Haynes. Grandchildren Tracy Church, Dwight Church, Julie Jean and husband Steven, Ryan Jeans and wife Christie. Great-Grandchildren Chandler, Ashlyn, and Carson Jean and Laurel, Mattie and Nathan Jeans. Nieces, Faye Bentley, Kathy Rudolph, Sandra Vann, Becky Vann and nephews Kenneth Vann, Bobby Vann, Billy Vann, Charlie Rozar, Don Haynes, and Mike Haynes. Lifelong friend James Shubert and many other friends, family, church family, and former students and many more that he loved. Preceding him in death were sons-in-law Johnny Church and Jim Jeans.
Those serving as pallbearers will be Dwight Church, Ryan & Nathan Jeans, Chandler, Steven and Carson Jean, and Don & Mike Haynes. Serving as honorary pallbearers will be The Joe Vann Sunday School Class Members and the Flintville First Baptist Church Deacons.
Visitation with the family will be Thursday evening 4-8PM at Higgins Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Flintville First Baptist Church Christian Life Center Building Fund, Flintville First Baptist Church, P.O. Box 61, Flintville, TN 37335 or the Joe Vann Scholarship Fund, c/o Moody Bradley, 2732 Winchester Hwy., Flintville, TN 37335
Sorry,about your lost our prayers are with you.Phil Brenda marty
I have had so many good memories of Mr. Vann, from my days ar Flintville elementry and Flintville High. Like Mr. Duggin, he was one of us, he taught me a lot of good values that I still treasure today.
We guys liked to take peoples cars and push them down to the Baptist church, no one locked them, in those days. We got Mr. Vanns one day and did the same to it. We came back and went into Louise Odoms store, where he was drinking a coke, he looked at us and, said, how are you boys doing, then he bought all of us a cook, we accepted, but felt very small, for what we did.
One of the guys went down and drove it back up to the store for him, that was a valubale lesson, taught, in a very special way.
God bless him in Heaven, and his family here on earth.
Bill Towry
Ruthie, Barbara and Ms. Doris,
I am so very, very sorry for your loss. I have never heard one bad word said about Mr. Vann. What a comfort to know that so many people loved and respected him. I will keep you in my prayers. May God bless you and comfort you in the days ahead.
Linda
OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH ALL OF MR. VANNS FAMILY. IT IS HARD TO PART WITH A GENTLEMAN THAT HAS GIVEN AND DEDICATED HIS LIFE TO FAMILY, CHURCH FAMILY,AND THE PEOPLE OF LINCOLN CO. THIS IS THE PASSING OF A TRUE SOUTHERN GENTLEMAN.
He was like a father to me when I coached at Flintville. He took up for me many times when no one else would. He was my mentor,friend, and colleague and he will be greatly missed not only by me but also by the huge number of young lives that he touched
What a wonderful tribute to such a fine man. All I wish to add is to send my condolence to his loving family, past students and many friends. He leaves a remarkable legacy. God Bless!
Dear Mrs. Doris and family, I thought the world of Mr. Vann. He never forgot his students, when I would see him out and about he would always hug me and call me by name. One of my fondest memories of him was him telling me to “count my blessings” and he even sang some of the song while I worked in the Flintville High School office as a student. I think of him every time I hear that song. He will always hold a special place in my heart and memories of high school. Know that I hold you in my heart and prayers as God holds you in His hands. Judy Kite McLeod, Flintville Class of 1977
Ms. Doris, Edna Ruth and Barbarba, I am so sorry about the loss of just a wonderful man that I adored & respected so much. If they only had Principals like that now. He was such a role model to all of us students. He will truly be missed. I will be praying for all you for stregthen to pull through the grief and may all the wonderful memories he left behind out way the loss. That great man left many good memories for a lot of people in this community. RIP Joe.
Great man wonderful principal thought about him a lot I will miss him
Mrs.Vann, Barbara, Edna Ruth , I’m sorry to hear about Mr. Vann. He was good to work for and he always took care of his teachers. I think about him a lot.
The passing of Mr. Joe will certainly leave a void in the Flintville community as well as the hearts of all who knew and loved him. Today. he is rejoicing in Paradise, and we who are left behind are grieving his passing. Let us all remember his love for the Lord, his family, his church, his neighbors, and his friends as we pay homage to him today. My deepest sympathy to the entire Vann family. May you find comfort in the many kind words of tribute left by those who loved him as much as you did.
Mrs. Doris, Ruthie, Barbara, and family. Words could never express how sad I am to hear of the loss of Mr.Vann. He gave me my first teaching job and the BEST Leased I have ever worked with> We have lost a great individual, but we will always have wonderful memories.God Bless your family.
Mr. Joe Vann was such a wonderful person. He was always there to lend a helping hand. I am so sorry for your loss and pray that God is wrapping his loving arms of comfort around you during this special time.
There’s not words to express the lasting memories that most of us that had Mr. Vann as our principle could express, he was great, I didn’t understand that completely when I was in school, but when my kids had Mr. Vann as their principle I became very close to one of the most remarkable principles, friend and Christian man that I’ve every knew, he taught me so much about life during that time, I wish I was listening when he was my principle, Mrs. Doris, Barbara & Edna Ruth thanks for sharing this great man with all of us, as I know he spend many hours with all of us that took away time from you. It’s a loss for all of us but a major gain for heaven.
Mrs Doris, Barbara & Edna Ruth. Not enough words to describe Mr. Vann. He was so many things to so many people. I especially looked up to him as I grew up in Flintville and being friends to his sweet daughters, Barbara and Edna Ruth. Spent many times at their house and he always welcomed us even after having to put up with us at school. I will never forget him. Praying for peace in the days ahead without Mr. Vann.
We are so sorry for your loss. You & your family are in our prayers.
We are so sorry for your loss. Mr. Joe was a wonderful person and will never be forgotten. Your family will be in our thoughts & prayers!
Mrs. Doris, Barbara, & Edna Ruth….We are so sorry to hear about the passing of Mr. Joe….Such a good man & such good memories we have of him….Steve has told me so many stories of Mr. Vann while teaching with him at Flintville…Always good…Couldn’t have asked for a better leader for the teachers & students…We loved his friendship….Prayers for your family
Doris so sorry for the loss of your soul mate. I did not know Mr. Joe personally but heard good words about him. You are in our prayers.
Ms. Doris, Ruthie, and Barbara, We were so sorry to hear of Mr. Joe’s passing. He was a great husband, father, and grandfather and a great pillar of our community. He will be truly missed. Our children had him as their principal and they truly respected him. Our prayers are with you that God will give you peace and strength in these difficult days ahead. He is in a much better place now and you will see him again.
Please know that you’re in my thoughts and prayers. My sincerest condolences for an incredibly great loss of a great friend and supporter of our community. Flintville and Lincoln County never forget Joe Vann.
Ms Doris, we are so sorry to here of Mr Joes passing. He was a great friend and will be greatly missed..We are sorry we can’t bee there.Tell the girls hello for us.
you are in our thoughts and prayers.
Billy and Patsy
My prayers are with you. Joe was a great friend. Will miss him
Mr. Vann is one of the greatest people I have known. He set a wonderful example not only for his 2 sweet daughters but all the students he had during his time at Flintville High. He was a loving christian man. I am proud to have had the pleasure of like he used to say, “gone to school with him” and also the great priviledge of attending the same church and worshipping the Lord the last 44 years. My heart so sad for Mrs. Doris, Barbara, Edna Ruth and their familes. I pray for strength and peace for them all. He will be missed.
Mrs Vann, Ruthie, and Barbara & familys so sorry for your loss. Mr Vann was a nice man and will be missed. My prayers and thoughts are with his family during this time. connie Arnold
I’m so sorry to hear of the passing of such a great man. He was such a wonderful teacher, Principal, father and mentor to many students and teachers. Prayers for all of his family.
Ruthie, Ms. Doris & Barbara, A great soul has departed, but the memories shall never fade. My thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.
There are no words to express how sad it is to lose such a wonderful man. My heart goes out to Ms Doris, Edna Ruth, and Barbara. He leaves a hole impossible to fill. God bless.
I am very sorry to hear about Uncle Joe. All of you will be in my prayers during this difficult time.
Love you all