Inez Vannoy

Gloria Inez Woods Vannoy fulfilled her divine purpose at the age of 91 and transitioned home on the morning of December 5, 2022 in Morganton, North Carolina. She graced this earth with her presence on May 22, 1931 in Talladega, Alabama. She was born the only child to the late Cunnell and Ella Ragland Woods. She graduated from Talladega County Training School.

She relocated to Aliquippa, Pennsylvania in her early years. She met and married the late Sherman Dock Vannoy, and to that union four children were born. Later, the couple moved to Morganton, North Carolina where she began her career journey. She was afforded the opportunity to serve as a daycare teacher at Blue Ridge Community Action, office assistant at Morganton Housing Authority, and Good Samaritan Clinic. She retired her career as a teacher assistant with the J. Iverson Riddle Developmental Center Foster Grandparent Program.

Inez Woods Vannoy accepted Christ as her Lord and Savior at an early age. She joined the Macedonia Baptist Church in Talladega, Alabama where she utilized her gift singing in the choir. In addition, she organized several praise and worship groups during that time. Later, she became a member of the Hartland AME Church in Morganton, North Carolina where she served and held several positions in the church to include Usher Board President, Choir President, Missionary President, Church Secretary, Lay Member, and Stewart Board Member.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Sherman Dock Vannoy, and three children, Oliver Woods, Jimmie Woods, and Darryl Vannoy.

Inez Woods Vannoy leaves to cherish her memories one son, Eric Vannoy Sr. (Carolyn) of Charlotte, North Carolina; two daughters, Tara Vannoy of Morganton, North Carolina and Teressa (Johnnie) Streeter of Alabaster, Alabama; three stepchildren, Sherman Vannoy Jr. and Linda V. Richards of Winston Salem, North Carolina, and Paul D. Vannoy of Florence, South Carolina; six grandchildren, Eric (Janeka) Vannoy Jr., Eric (Shaneca) Vannoy III, O’Jay Woods, Le’Myria Vannoy, Se’Myia Vannoy and Washunda (Bryant) Gill; eleven great-grandchildren, Za’Rhiana Vannoy, Zachariah Vannoy, Za’Nyiah Vannoy, Mason Hodges, Mia Vannoy, Gabriella Dula, Brynleigh Neely, Roman S. Vannoy, Bryant Gill Jr., Kaitlyn Gill, Kennedy Gill. One great great-grandchild, Calani Gill. Four spiritual daughters Mary Lloyd, Anita Lloyd, Pat Lloyd, and Cierra (Brandon) Thomas, four spiritual grandchildren, LeeNita Lloyd, Markeata Davenport, Sable Canady and Makayla Lloyd, two spiritual great grandchildren, Caven Witherspoon Jr. and Zayden Thomas and a host of other relatives and friends.

A funeral service will be held 12 p.m. Monday, December 12, 2022 at Hartland AME Church, Morganton. The family will receive friends one hour prior to service time at the church. Burial will follow at Mars Hill AME Church. Rev. Samuel Patterson, Officiating.

The Vannoy Family has entrusted Kirksey Funeral Home of Morganton with arrangements.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at dignitymemorial.com for the Vannoy family.