Dorothy Lena Branch Vance, 87, of Tifton died Friday, June 29, 2007, at Maple Court. Funeral services will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, July 1, 2007, in the Chapel of Bowen-Donaldson Home for Funerals. Rev. Sam Rogers and Rev. Glenn Martin will officiate with burial to follow in Oak Ridge Cemetery. Grandsons and great grandsons will serve as pallbearers. The family will receive friends on Sunday, July 1, 2007, from 1:30 to 3:00 p.m. just prior to the service.
Mrs. Vance was born on October 3, 1919 in Tift County and was a resident of Tift County all of her life. She was the daughter of William Branch and Ora Cravey Branch, both deceased. She was also preceded in death by her husband, Henry Harding Vance, Sr. and by her infant son, Henry Harding Vance, Jr.; five brothers, Vernon Branch, Willie Branch, Jr., George Branch, Garvis Branch, and Harry Branch; and a sister, Vernel Barnwell. She was a homemaker and a member of Harding Methodist Church. She served as a volunteer for Meals on Wheels for many years and also served as Poll Supervisor for elections in the Harding Precinct.
Mrs. Vance is survived by a son and daughter-in-law, Bill and Christie Vance of Tifton; two daughters and a son-in-law, Dorothy Holmes of Tifton and Dorris and Tommy Burton of St. Simons Island; eleven grandchildren, Christie Vance of Atlanta, Tracy Vance of Denver, Colorado, Bill Vance, Jr., Vikki Vance, Harding Vance, Wycliffe Vance, Rhonda Stone, Leslie Hunter, all of Tifton, Donna Epps of Buffalo Junction, Virginia, Jeff Burton and Christie Copeland of St. Simons Island; and 21 great grandchildren.
Flowers will be accepted or the family requests donations be made to Meals on Wheels, 710 West 14th Street, Tifton, GA 31794; or Hospice of Tiftarea, P.O. Box 747, Tifton, GA 31793.