Obituary of Harry David Vance
Rev. Harry David Vance, age 98 of Sylva NC, passed away Thursday, March 4, 2021. He was born Feb 6, 1923, in Proctor, Swain County, NC, to the late Rev. Raymond Otto, Sr. and Sally Ann Green Vance.
He was preceded by brothers: Rev. Clarence (CO) Vance, Claude Vance, Carl Vance, Herbert Vance, Clyde Vance, R.O. Vance, Jr.; and sisters: Winnie V Thompson, Hazel V Blanton, Ethel V Bennett, Betty Jean Vance, Margaret V Dillard and twin sister, Mary V Bennett.
Graduate of Webster High School, Webster, NC. Worked at the Shipyard in Newport News, Virginia during World War II as a machinist. After the war he attended Mars Hill University and graduated from Gardner-Webb University in 1953. Harry served the Lord as a Baptist Minister for over 75 years. Employed as office manager of Ford Motor Company in Washington DC, helping to organize several churches in the outliying areas of DC through his church, Congress Heights Baptist Church. Pastor of East Sylva Baptist Church, Sylva, NC; Ellijay and Cowetta Franklin, NC; Lavonia Baptist Church, Lavonia (NC); Memorial Baptist Church, Ft Lauderdale Fl; Hamburg Baptist Church, Glenville, NC; Meat Camp Baptist Church, Boone NC; Eastside Baptist Church, Kings Mountain, NC; Rockdale Baptist Church, Whittier, NC; Music Director and Treasurer of Tuckaseigee Baptist Association; led music and brought the messages at the decorations for many years on the North Shore Fontana Decoration Days; supplying for many churches in the area as needed and held many Revivals; taught Shaped Note Music Classes; helped to organize the Cashiers-Glenville Rescue Squad; served as Chaplain of C J Harris Hospital; member of East Sylva Baptist Church at the time of his death.
Harry was a man of many talents. He was the pitcher for his church league softball team in Washington DC. He could fix anything that tore up. From a vehicle to a simple home repair, he was our go to person. He never met a stranger, if he did, you were not one for long. He would stop and help anyone that needed a helping hand. He enjoyed his days of dirt bikes in the woods with friends and was an avid gardener. He loved driving and exploring the areas where he lived. He loved to sing praises to the Lord and preaching the Word of the Lord. He attended ball games, choral concerts, recitals, and anything else his grandchildren or great grandchildren were a part of. He became pretty good on the computer in his later years also putting all his sermons on discs to preserve them. In his later years, he did forget a few names, but never where he served the Lord. He was a true prayer warrior his entire life.
He is survived by his loving wife of 77 years, Helen (Cable) Vance; daughter, Leeunah (Lee) and husband Thad Woods of Waynesville; son, Ottie David Vance of Sylva; grandchildren: Heath Woods and wife Haylee, Julie Woods Hendricks and husband Chip, and Stacy Woods, all of Waynesville NC; 8 great-grandchildren: Tanner Hendricks, Emma Hendricks, Ty Hendricks, Haiden Woods, Jacob Woods, Heath Thad Woods, Madison Shirley, Mason Shirley; sisters-in-law, Barbara Vance and Willetta Vance; plus a host of nieces and nephews and their families.
In lieu of flowers - Memorials may be made to the Lovedale Baptist Church Cemetery Fund.
A Graveside Services will be held Monday, March 8, 2021, at 1:00pm, at Lovedale Baptist Church Cemetery, Sylva. Officiating: Rev. Charles Dean.