Ethel Gail Vance

Notes:

Gail McNeil of Morganton, NC, passed away on January 12, 2023.

Born in 1934, she lived 88 wonderful years full of laughter and love. Gail was born in Plumtree, NC to the late Joe and Buena Vance and is survived by her dear sister Joan Hughes. In 1957 she married her beloved husband Jiggs (Lawrence), who predeceased her in 2003.

She taught English for 32 years, the last 20 at Freedom High in Morganton, where she was fondly remembered by her students and fellow faculty members.

Memories of Gail are treasured by her surviving nephew and nieces, their spouses and children, Clayton and Christa Brinkley, Cassie Brinkley, Callie Croley, Shirley Gasque and Peggy Tipton. Her grand-nephews and nieces; Ainsley Hammond, Townsend Wells, Avery Brinkley, Cooper Croley, Davis Croley, and especially grand-niece Emma Brinkley, with whom she shared a special bond.

Gail will be remembered for her wit and wisdom and positive impact on others. She was loved by all who knew her and will be missed by those whose lives she touched.

Per Gail's wishes, in lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Suzy Fitzgerald Emergency Shelter for Women and Children of Morganton, NC.

Ethel married Lawrence Edgar McNeil, Jr. on 9 Aug 1957 in , Mitchell County, North Carolina, . Lawrence (son of Lawrence Edgar McNeil, Sr. and Mayme Silvers) was born on 30 Jul 1934 in , Burke County, North Carolina, ; died about 2003. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Joseph married Buena Laura Avery. Buena (daughter of William Waightstill Avery and Carrie Jane Goins) was born on 28 Jan 1910 in , , North Carolina, ; died on 7 Apr 2001. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Thomas Beauregard Vance was born at Altamont on the 9th day of October 1861, and died at his home at Plumtree Friday evening, September 28th, 1928 at 7:20 o'clock.
The deceased was the oldest living son of Thomas D. Vance and Elmire Dellinger Vance and was one of a family of eleven children all but three of whom are still living. The others are as follows:
Charlotte D. Jones, Umatilla, Fla; Mrs. Mary E. Key, Sumerville, PA, J E Vance, Johnson City, TN, D T Vance, Plumtree, R B Vance, Allendale,SC, Mrs. Eula Childs, Ingalls, NC, Mrs. J. L. Banner, deceased, C M Vance, Belen, NM, Miss Julia Vance, Johnson City, TN, Ed N. Vance, Plumtree, NC and Marcus D Vance, deceased.
In 1887, the deceased was married to Sara Wiseman who with eight sons and one daughter survive him. The children are Ira, Ernest, Pat, Hobart, Ted, Hale, Ethel, Joe and Junior.
The funeral was held Monday afternoon at the church at Plumtree and was conducted by Rev. T W Clapp assisted by Rev Hall and was attended by a great crowd of sorrowing and sympathizing friends including nearly all of the businessmen of Avery County and many from Mitchell, many of whom had closed their places of business out of respect for the memory of the deceased.
The pall bearers were the six sons of Mr. W. C. Burleson, his former business associate; R. M., Dr. W.B., Frank, Henry, D P, and S L.
A profusions of beautiful floral tributes to his memory were born by large number of young ladies and over a hundred automobiles joined in the procession that bore the remains from the church to the graveyard.
For nearly forty years, the deceased has been one of the leaders in the development of the intrests of Avery County. For four years he was a member of the firm of Jones and Vance at Elk Park, the remainder of the time has been spent at his loved home in Plumtree.
In 1891 he was the leading spirit in the concern that built the second oldest mica mill in the world. Two or three years later he sold his interest and in 1894, he and a brother D. T. Vance started in a very small way to grind mica under the name of Vance Brothers. In 1900, the firm dissolved partnership and Mr. Vance has since conducted his business in his individual name, building up a splendid and profitable business in the mercantile line as well as in other lines in which he was interested. Mr. Vance was a public spirited man and was the source of strength that carried many of his neighbors over the hard places in life that sometimes beset all.
While the family has lost so much, their loss is shared in an unusually large measure by the entire community and to a large extent by the entire county. He is enjoying the rewards of a well-spent life.

Thomas married Sarah Cordelia Wiseman about 1887 in Mitchell County, , , North Carolina. Sarah (daughter of John A. Justice and Mary Adelaide Wiseman) was born on 6 Jun 1865 in Mitchell County, , , North Carolina; died on 14 Feb 1947 in , Avery County, North Carolina, ; was buried in Yellow Mountain Cemetery, , Avery County, North Carolina. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Funeral services for Mrs. T. B. Vance, age 81,one of Plumtree's oldest residents, who died at her home Friday morning after a lingering illness were held Sunday afternoon at 2:00 o'clock at the Plumtree Presbyterian Church. The Rev. T. W. Clapp officiated assisted by the Rev. J. P. Hall. Burial followed in the Yellow Mountain cemetery at Plumtree.
Mrs Vance was a member of the Plumtree Presbyterian church where she joined about 65 years ago and remained an active member until her declining health about two years ago. She was a native and life-long resident of the Plumtree section and attended the old Plumtree Academy. About sixty years ago she was united in marriage to Thomas B. Vance who passed away in 1928. Mrs. Vance was well known throughout Avery and Mitchell counties.
Surviving are one daughter, Miss Ethel Vance of Plumtree six sons, Joe, Ira, and T. B Jr. of Plumtree; Hale of Boone, Pat of Elk Park, and Hobart Vance of Adel, Iowa; two sisters, Mrs. D. T. Vance of Plumtree and Mrs. Mannrssa Wiseman of Spoal: three half-sisters; Mrs. Fred Burleson of Spear, Mrs.. Tom Watson of Plumtree and Mrs. Sam Smith of Three Mile; three half-brothers; Will Justice of Spear,. John Justice of Montezumea, and James Gudger Justice of Oregon; 19 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren.
Active Pallbearers were Ivor Vance, Friel Vance Sam Vance. Diester Watson, Cecil Burleson, Sam Smith. Jr., Howard Smith and Paul Smith. Honorary pallbearers were Dr. W. B. Burleson, Frank Burleson, Henry Burleson, Vester Stafford, J. P. Hughes, R. B. Gaddy, Arthur Thompson, Ray Thompson, T. J. Greene, R. M. Burleson, E. C Guy, E. G. Eller, J. H. VonCannon, Sam Ray, Howard Dugger, Brooks Holtsclaw, B. H. Winters, Bob Brinkley, Bill Brinkley, Ronald Hughes, Claude Hughes, Charlie Hughes. Jim Phillips and Frank Phillips.
Flowerbearers were Patsy Vance, Gail Vance, Janice Avery, Joan Vance, Elizabeth Vance, Mrs. Sam Odom, Mrs Lewie Aldridge, Mrs. Ed Lee Avery, Gwen Avery, Addie Burleson, Rachel Franklin, Maxine Franklin, Mrs. Virginia Ryan, Mrs. Sammy Smith, Mrs. Howard Smith, Mrs. Ted. Smith, Mary Smith, Mrs. John Vanover, Barbara Vanover, Mrs, Friel Vance, Mrs. Sam Vance, Mrs. Ivor Vance, Mrs. Ralph Pyatte, Mrs. Deiter Watson. Mrs. Herman Buchanan, Mrs. Lucy Honeyeutt Mrs. Edna Burleson, Mrs. Milton Vance, Mitze Watson, Mrs. Mrs. Clay Wiseman, Lira Wiseman, Lucille Wiseman, Mrs. George Nesbitt and Lucy Vance. Webb Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements

William married Carrie Jane Goins about 1909 in , , North Carolina, . Carrie was born about 1887 in , , North Carolina, ; died about 1968 in , , North Carolina, . [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Thomas married Sarah Elmira Dellinger about 1856 in North Carolina, , , . Sarah (daughter of Matthias Dellinger and Sarah Franklin) was born on 9 Jul 1941 in , Yancey County, , North Carolina; died on 9 Apr 1907 in Mitchell County, , , North Carolina; was buried in Yellow Mountain Cemetery, , Avery County, North Carolina. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

John married Mary Adelaide Wiseman about 1865 in North Carolina, , , . Mary (daughter of William Bedford Wiseman and Mary "Polly" Chambers) was born on 9 Aug 1840 in , Yancey County, , North Carolina; died on 19 Feb 1925 in North Carolina, , , ; was buried in Yellow Mountain Cemetery, , Avery County, North Carolina. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]