Cleophos Vann

1927 - 2026

Cleophos Vann, a native of Coaling, Alabama and a longtime resident of Birmingham, Alabama, peacefully transitioned on Saturday, March 7,
2026, from this earthly home to his heavenly home, surrounded by the grace of God's presence. 

Cleophos Vann was born April 19, 1927, to Claude and Dicie Vann in Coaling, Alabama. He was the second oldest of five children. He graduated
from Dora High School in Walker County, Alabama. After high school he served in the army, touring five countries, including Germany, France, and Australia. After serving his country, he attended Alabama State University in Montgomery and graduated in 1950 with a BS in History and Art.
During this time, he had the privilege to take classes from two well-known artists, Sculptor Issac Hathaway and Painter Hayward Uberyl. He also took classes at New York University and studied under Hale Woodruff, a nationally known artist. He had the honor of exhibiting his artwork at Atlanta University. He returned to Alabama State and received a Master’s in Education and Administration. He is a lifelong member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity and Phi Delta Kappa.

He taught art and history at Carver High School in Gadsden, AL for four years. He then transferred to the Birmingham School System and 
taught art and history at Phillips High School and Weston Olin High School (now Jackson Olin). He taught art part time at Lawson State Community College and full time at Miles College. He worked at Miles College for thirty-six years, where his tenure included being the Director of the Upward Bound Program, Grant Writer, opening Miles’s first Office of Admissions, serving as the Director of Institutional Research and Assistant to the Academic Dean.

While at Alabama State he met Juanita Jordan. They were married on November 3, 1956. They had one son, Darryl Vann. Darryl is married to
Deena Watson Vann and they have two children, Bryan Vann (Erin) and Kristen Vann. He is a proud great-grandfather to Harper, Tyler, and
Conner Vann. Cleophos is a founding member of Our Lady Queen of the Universe Catholic Church in Smithfield. He serves the church as a  Lector, Minister of the Eucharist, Liturgical Environment Coordinator, Pastoral and Finance Council. He is a Third- and Fourth-Degree member of the Knights of Peter Claver Council 140 Archbishop Toolen Assembly #19. He was a co-founder of the Birmingham Art Club where one of his duties was writing grants to the Alabama Council on the Arts; he received monies to sponsor summer programs for children in the community. He
was an active member of the Alabama State University Alumni Association, where he served as the National President, President of the local Chapter and Parade Captain for the Magic City Classic Parade.