Samuel Ray Vance died Nov. 27, 2017 at his home in Oakland, Miss. surrounded by his family.

He was born May 15, 1943 to the late Grace Osborn and Samuel Robert Vance, Jr. in Santa Ana, Calif. and served in the U.S. Army.  Sam worked as a manager in the retail industry, and he had a passion for restoring old homes with his wife of fifty years, Flora. They restored the Herron House in Oakland, Miss. and enjoyed hosting a Bed and Breakfast there for many years.

Funeral services will take place at 2:00 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 30, 2017 in the Henry Chapel of Seven Oaks Funeral Home in Water Valley, Miss. with Rev. Clay Baker and Rev. Catherine Camp officiating. Visitation will be from 11:00 a.m. until service time. Sam’s body will be returned to Orange, Calif. for burial in Fairhaven Cemetery. Shannon Funeral Home will be in charge of arrangements and burial in Orange, Calif.

Sam is survived by his wife, Flora Vance of Oakland, Miss; three sons, Robert Vance of Tustin, Calif., Tom Vance of Casper, Wyo., and Bryan (Daphne) Vance of Santa Ana, Calif.; a brother, Bill Vance of Phoenix, Ariz.; and seven grandchildren.