Joyce Vance

Joyce E. Vance, 78, of Akron, went home to be with the Lord at 3:30 a.m. Monday, April 1, 2024, at Peabody Retirement Community, North Manchester.

Joyce was born on May 27, 1945, in Jefferson, Ky., to the late Edgar and Eva (Adams) Smith. In April of 1970, she married Teddy Ray Vance, who preceded her in death on May 4, 1987. Joyce worked for Heckman Bindery for 15 years, then for Black Oxide, of Burket, and lastly for Dexter Axle, where she was a machine operator.

She attended the Gospel Hill Pentecostal Church of God of Silver Lake for 36 years, where she taught Sunday School for more than 25 years. She was full of love and was a wonderful mother, grandma and great-grandma. She loved to spend time with family and was very giving of her time. She took care of her mother for many years as she failed in health. She enjoyed doing word searches, puzzles and collecting angels.

She is survived by her daughters, Debbie (John) Whitaker, of Akron, and Serina Hoffer, of Plymouth; grandsons, Justin (Sherri) Whitaker and Austin (Raven) Holloway; great-grandchildren, Lincoln, Paxton, Caden, Silas and Zamiah; sisters, Janice Howes, of Salyersville, Ky., Sharon Randall, of Akron, Lynda (Ted) Richard, of Rochester, and Lisa (Frank) Whitaker, of Akron; and brothers, Russell (Rita) Smith, of Akron, Michael (Julie) Smith, of Akron, and Keith (Sheila) Smith, of Sidney.

Joyce was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Ted; a sister, JoAnn Prater; and brothers, Gary, Donald, Ronnie and James Smith.

The funeral service will take place at 10 a.m. Friday, April 5, at the Gospel Hill Pentecostal Church of God, 303 S. Jefferson St., Silver Lake, with Pastor Bobby Board and Pastor Justin Harshman officiating.

The interment will take place following the service in the IOOF Cemetery, Rochester.

Visitation hours will be held from 5-8 p.m. Thursday, April 4, at Gospel Hill Pentecostal Church of God, Silver Lake.

The arrangements have been entrusted to Hartzler Funeral Home, 305 W. Rochester St., Akron.

Memorial contributions can be made in her memory to the Gospel Hill PCG.

Share a memory or send an online condolence at hartzlerfuneralservices.com.