On April 16, 2024 at 10:14pm, Georgia Mae Catherine Vance entered into the presence of the Lord Jesus. She died at home with her daughter Tami by her side. When she opened her eyes, she could see again, and smiled at Jesus, as He welcomed her to Heaven. At the age of 95.5 she outlived many medical obstacles and miraculously overcame the limitations presented to her. She defined and lived out the word "perseverance" on a daily basis. She ran the race God marked out for her with determination and received her victory crown. Funeral services will begin at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, April 27, 2027 at the Strode Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will follow in the Carney Cemetery. Strode Funeral Home and Cremation is in charge of the arrangements.


Georgia was born on October 8, 1928 and grew up in Tahlequah, Oklahoma. Her father George Owens was injured while serving in WW1 and her mother could no longer care for her. She along with her siblings were orphaned and placed in the American Legion Home in Ponca City, Oklahoma on April 6, 1943. Georgia and her siblings were taken in a few times by foster families, but none were ever adopted. She stayed there until June 6, 1949. Her years as an orphan were filled with many trials but she learned how to survive despite all odds. She graduated from Ponca City Highschool in May of 1949 and on July 31, 1949 she married Jimmy Dean Vance. They made their first home in Ponca City, OK. They later moved to Moore, Oklahoma where they raised six daughters.


She lived her life as a dedicated homemaker. As a wife and mother, she became the matriarch of our family. She not only raised 6 daughters but helped raised several grandchildren and great greats. She was the role model we all aspired to become. She loved being a mother and was quick to help anyone that was in her home or anyone else's. She cooked many meals and made do with whatever she had on hand. One of our fondest memories is her example of the importance of gathering together around the table for dinner no matter what. She loved to laugh and tell stories. She was an avid listener. Being a mother was her greatest joy. Georgia also had an artist flare. Watching Bob Ross was one of her favorite past times and she learned how to paint by watching his instructional videos.


In 1984, Georgia and her husband Jimmy bought an 80-acre farm with a 3-acre pond and moved to Carney, Oklahoma. She enjoyed the outdoors more so than being inside. Georgia loved nature and all of God's creation. Even the most hideous of creatures; spiders, snakes, wasps, all those that most of us want nothing to do with, she met them with kindness and adventure. She taught us how beautiful the animals were, how to recognize the sounds of specific birds, and how stunning the web of an Orb spider could be. She taught us the life cycle of the Cicada and how many years they stayed underground and the beautiful music they made. They moved a trailer onto the farm with dreams of building a house someday. When Jimmy died of lung cancer in 1996, that dream died too. Georgia moved into a small home in town and lived there until 2006 when she moved to Texas to live with her daughter Tami and her husband Tom and their children Grant and Ashley. Her vivacious love for nature continued in Texas as she often sought out the sound of the Dove, Bluejay and the obnoxious Grackle, taught the kids how to look for snakes, catch insects and make roly-polies their best friends. She attended classes at the Richardson Senior Center and brushed up on her piano playing skills and artistic talents. She also became one of Fox News biggest fans, sitting in her cave as we called it watching Bill O'Reilly and other Fox and Friends.


In 2006, after being diagnosed with kidney cancer, she had one of her kidneys removed. She endured several other incremental physical declines but she would always bounce back, finding a way to keep death from coming any closer. She never allowed her physical limitations to define her. In 2023, she had a massive stroke and endured a yearlong trial of continued physical decline and suffering but rallied back with a smile that would make your heart melt. Her entire life was about persevering, overcoming, and defying odds. Her life reflected her personal relationship with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. She prayed beautiful yet simple prayers. She was a walking miracle as Jesus showed up time and time again. Even at the very end of her life, she did not complain, as she faithfully waited until Jesus came and took her home. She attended Billy Graham in 2000 and even though she knew Jesus as her Savior, this was the first time she said the sinner's prayer publicly. Her favorite bible verse was Matthew 6:33, "Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you."


She was so witty and always had a joke or pun to share that would make you smile and shake your head. Her advice to live a long and healthy life is "Do your share and take care of me." She was such a forgiving soul, never holding a grudge against anyone. All that met her loved her instantly. We are sad she is no longer here with us, yet we rejoice that she is in that glorious mansion in Heaven with her new and healed body. She heard her Father say, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy Lord. Matthew 25:21.


Georgia is preceded in death by her husband, Jimmy Dean Vance of 47 years, her daughter Jenna, her daughter Michele, and three grandchildren, Jake, Kristen and Angi. She was also preceded in death by her siblings, Buddy Plummer, Danny Owens, Pauline Pennock, Lois Alexander and James Owens.


Georgia is survived by her sister Maryanne Dale of CA, her daughter Cheryl Walton and husband Lester of Lindsay, OK, her daughter Tami Cooke and husband Tom of Richardson, TX, her daughter Tara Vance of Carney, OK and her daughter Georgia Chappell of Tulsa, OK.

Georgia left an amazing legacy of 5 generations. Her grandchildren are Angela Starling, (deceased), Jeremy Walton and wife Shannan of Moore, OK, Cami Bruno of Perkins, OK, Amy Hudson and husband Ray of Eufaula, OK, Steven Bruno of Moore, OK, Jimmy Bruno of Moore, OK, Joey Rodgers of Tulsa, OK, Jacob Rodgers (deceased), Kristen Chappell (deceased), Grant Cooke of Falls Creek, VA and Ashley Cooke of Richardson, TX.

Her great grandchildren are Haylie Starling, Alexandra Starling, Jenna Feezel, Joel Edwards, Justus Edwards, Shaina Phelps, Daxton Edwards, Graci Bratcher, Dalton Bruno, Devon Bruno, Jewelle Bruno, Maddison Bruno, Lillian Bruno, Elizabeth Salgado, Heath Bruno, Brooklyn Bruno, Ryan Bruno, Karlee Rodgers, Luna Rodgers, and Evee Rodgers.

Her great, great grandchildren are Gabriella Rocha, Camden Francisco, Wyatt Smith, Scarlet Smith, Rylan Edwards, Blakely Phelps, Declan Phelps, Dawson Phelps, Brooks Bruno, Axel Gannon, Kruze Gannon and Sheamus Gannon.


In lieu of flowers, if you feel so led to do so, please make a donation to https://bothhands.org/donate/ . Click on Support Both Hands and put the name Georgia Vance in the "Additional Notes" category. Since Georgia was both an orphan and a widow, we would like her legacy to continue in helping those that are less fortunate.