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