Visitation will be 9:30-11:00am, Tuesday, March 27, 2018, at Baldwin-Lee Funeral Home in Pearl. Funeral services will follow at 11:00am in the funeral home chapel with interment in Floral Hills Memory Gardens.
Willie was born October 20, 1923, in Smith County, a daughter of the late William and Tilda Butler. Her early years were spent in the Sardis community. Following her marriage to C.M. “Curly” Vance on September 9, 1950, they lived in Jackson and later settled in Brandon where they raised their family.
Willie and Curly owned and operated convenience stores in Jackson, Pearl and Brandon for many years, where she enjoyed sneaking bags of candy for her grandchildren.
A devoted, Christian wife and mother, Willie loved her family dearly. Her favorite times were spent with them, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, building forts, making cookies and creating grand adventures.
Each morning you could find Willie reading her Bible and enjoying her cup of coffee, and sharing with her family and friends what she read each day.
Willie will best be remembered for her infectious smile and giving spirit; she always placed others ahead of herself.
In addition to her parents, Willie was preceded in death by her husband, Curly Vance; brother, Barton Butler; and sisters, Quay Fortenberry, and Kate Puckett.
Survivors include son, Larry Vance (Connie); daughter, Charlotte Berry; sister, Ruby Strawder; grandchildren, Chelsey Vance, Jared Shore (Sarah), Rusty Berry (Lenora), Chris Berry (Jennifer), and Michael Berry; and great-grandchildren, Lydia Berry, Victoria Berry, Russ Berry, Carter Berry, and Sloan Berry.
The family would like to express their sincerest gratitude to her dedicated friends and caretakers, Toni Pack and Lenora Berry.
Memorials may be made Truitt Memorial Baptist Church in Pearl.
