Vance Ronald Barksdale, age 96, of Paris, passed away Aug. 4, 2022. Bright-Holland Funeral Home has scheduled services for 3:00 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 6th at Providence Baptist Church with Chaplain Mike Stone officiating. Burial will follow in Providence Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the church one hour prior to the service. Mr. Barksdale, the son of Elijah Matterson Barksdale and Ethel Fulbright Barksdale, was born Aug. 21, 1925, in Melbourne, AR. He quit school when he was 8 years old to work and help support his family of five siblings. He was drafted in 1944, and served in the U. S. Army until Nov. of 1945. Vance was stationed in the Philippines. He went to work at B & W and retired in 1983, following a career that spanned 30 years. He drove for Toyota from then until he was 89 years old and then retired completely. He loved gardening, hunting, fishing, and time with his family. He married Edna Virginia Burnette on Dec. 21, 1956, building 59 years of family and memories. He was a long time member of Providence Baptist Church. Vance was preceded in death by his wife, Virginia Barksdale, siblings, Levoy Barksdale, Lynn Barksdale (Monteene), Tressie Coots (Issacc), Doyal Walker, and Nina Ausmus (Jr.). Survivors include one daughter, Renea Barksdale Wade (Carl), grandchildren, Brittany Wade, Dustin Ford, Shelby Wade (Haley), and Mallie Johnson (Jimmy), great grandchildren, Easton Ford and Asher Johnson along with numerous nieces & nephews and a host of friends. Casket bearers will be: Carl Wade, Shelby Wade, Dustin Ford, Jimmy Johnson, Doug Sanders, and Chris Farris. Honorary bearers will be: Easton Ford and Asher Johnson. A special thank you to Rachel & Juanita from Platinum Hospice. I would have never made it through all the ups & downs without them. I love you sweet ladies so very much.
