Dixie (Tootsie) Lee Preece Vance

Dixie Lee “Tootsie” Preece Vance, 88, of Day Star Road passed away on Tuesday, June 24, 2014. Born July 5, 1925 on Preece Bottom Road, she was the daughter of the late Francis Marion and Nancy Jane Maynard Preece. Tootsie was preceded in death by her husband, Millard Fillmore Vance Sr.; sons, Ralph Jack Vance and Millard Fillmore Vance Jr.; daughter-in-law, Truda Pridemore Vance; son-in-law, Garland Shuping; grandson, Millard Fillmore Vance III; brothers and sisters-in-law, Hi (Alice) Preece, Francis Marion “Bud” (Mae) Preece, John (Liz) Preece, Jack (Frances) Preece, and Harold Preece; sisters and brothers-in-law, Esta (Adam) Evans, Mary (Abe) Sheppard, Emma (Comfort) Hall, Mattie (Columbus) Runyon, and Brookie Stapleton. Survivors include sons, Ermal Lewis (Sharon) Vance, John Paul (Kelly) Vance, Terry Lee Vance, Joseph (Tjuania) Vance; daughters, Janice Kay (Jim) Runyon, Ruth Elaine (Wallace) Looney, Tammy Lynn (Bobby) Newsome, Pamela Sue (Ron) Matney; son-in-law Sonny Hundley; daughters-in-law, Phyllis Boren Adkins and Beulah Vance; sister-in-law, Drema Preece; 37 grandchildren, 38 great grandchildren, 3 great, great grandchildren and a host of nieces and nephews. At the age of 18, Tootsie, along with her sister, Brookie, niece, Audrey Sheppard, and neighbor, Susie Meadows were recruited to join the wartime effort and boarded a train to Elkton, Maryland to work in an ammunition plant. “Boom-Boom Girls” at Triumph Explosives Industries risked their lives to supply our country with ammunition. Tootsie spoke fondly of her adventures during World War II. The Vance family is comforted by the memories of Tootsie’s and Millard’s love and kindness. Their home overflowed with love, laughter, children, guests, and hospitality. We would like to thank Tootsie’s caregivers, Sandy Turner, Marlene Mollett, Ellen Newsome, Kimberly Crank, Rebecca Crank, and Savannah Hall. We would also like to thank Melissa Davis, Stephanie, and Dr. Stollings of Hospice of Chapmanville, WV, and Dr. Vyas of Williamson, WV. The family will have visitation on Friday, June 27, 2014 from 6-10 p.m. at Little Dove United Baptist Church of Belo, WV. Funeral services will be conducted at the church on Saturday, June 28, 2014 at 11 a.m. The Reverend James Maynard will officiate. Burial will follow at the Preece Cemetery. Sons and grandsons will serve as pallbearers and Big Jim Hatfield will serve as honorary pallbearer. The family is being served by James Funeral Home of Logan, WV.