Alma G. Taylor Vance 1938-2022 Obituary
Alma G. Taylor Vance was born in Elkins, WV on September 10, 1938 and died suddenly on March 10, 2022 in Winchester, Virginia.
Alma was born to Edward B. Taylor and Pauline R. Taylor and grew up on Chenoweth Creek where her father operated the Woodlawn Dairy. She and her family were active members of the Elkins Church of God. In 1957 she graduated from Elkins High School and married Dennis R. Vance. They moved to North Carolina during her former husband’s military career and they had one daughter. Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by two brothers, Marvin Lee Taylor and Edward Hugh Taylor, as well as two brothers-in-law,
John Ward Wood, Jr. and Rev. Nicholas Pino. Alma is survived by her daughter, Diana L. Wise and her son-in-law, Perry J. Wise, N.D. (WV); two younger sisters, Naomi Ruth Taylor Pino (VA) and Marian Fern Taylor Wood (WY), and a brother-in-law, M. Keith Vance. Also surviving are her nephews: Joseph Edward Pino (TX), Rev. Nicholas Stephen Pino (VA), Mark Anthony Pino (VA), Nathaniel Paul Wood (WY) and Daniel Joseph Wood (WY). Numerous surviving great nieces and nephews include: Codi Ann Wood Lawson (TX); Calin Spade Wood (TX); Hannah Elizabeth Pino (MO); Laci Autum Wood, April Summer Wood, and Jonathan David Wood (WY); Brady Lynn Wood and Bailey Elizabeth Wood (WY); and one great grandniece Tatum Ann Lawson (TX).
In North Carolina teaching children’s church and serving as a foster parent for three years were important parts of her life. In Elkins, Alma was on the Board of Directors of Youth for Christ and chaperoned YFC activities.
She enjoyed sightseeing and traveling across America. Alma had an inquisitive mind and loved learning, never running out of questions at a museum, on a tour, or during a Bible study. Reading inspirational books and devotional books added to her quality of life. Playing the occasional round of golf was both her delight and her frustration. She found that building her retirement home was a source of great satisfaction and she was quickly adopted as the neighborhood grandmother. Caring for her four-year-old Boston Terrier, Dottie, was her greatest joy each day.
While Alma had lived in Oklahoma and Washington State for the past 42 years, she had recently relocated with her daughter and son-in-law to Hampshire County where she could be near family and where she had plans to reconnect with childhood friends. She enjoyed telling stories of growing up on a dairy farm, of attending the one room school on Chenoweth Creek, of hosting church gatherings on the farm, and of attending church whenever the doors were open. She also had a repertoire of humorous anecdotes about her work with children and with senior citizens.
Alma gave her best effort to every work endeavor during her life. She was employed for many years at Memorial General Hospital, operated her own child care center in Tulsa, and eventually discovered her talents in property management. Before retiring, she spent 14 years managing properties for the Senior Housing Authority Group at locations from Vancouver to Bellingham, Washington. She organized monthly social events and special holiday celebrations, always looking for a way to honor God, Country, and the values instilled in her as a child.
Alma Vance was a long-time Legacy Partner with Hagee Ministries and the family would be honored if friends and family would consider donating in her memory to help save the lives of Jewish families and orphans who are currently trapped in the war-torn areas in and around Ukraine. Hagee Ministries will see that 100% of any donation in her honor will go to save the lives of Ukrainian Jews and to resettle them in Israel. Please send donations to Hagee Ministries, PO Box 659240, San Antonio, TX 78265 and mark the donation “In memory of Alma Vance.”
A private family, graveside service will be held at Chenoweth Hill Cemetery off Elliotts Ridge Rd. Elkins, WV Tuesday, March 22nd.
Alma G. Taylor Vance 1938-2022 Obituary
