Arie Vance Jr.

Arie Vance Jr. passed peacefully at the age of 90 years, surrounded by his loved ones, on November 12, 2025.

Visitation will be held at First Baptist Church Corinth, Mississippi on Monday, November 24, 2025 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., followed by his memorial service at 11 a.m. His graveside service will follow at Henry Cemetery.

Arie was born on February 7, 1935 in Newburg, Ky. to Sadie and Arie Vance. He lived there with his parents and his younger brother William "Bill" Vance during his early childhood years before moving to Murray, Kentucky, where he spent most of his childhood and early youth. At the age of 19, he moved to Helena Arkansas, and joined the Navy at 20, where he served two years, returning to Helena to start his professional career. Soon after his return to Helena, he met the love of his life, his wife Pat, whom he married on June 12, 1960.

Shortly after their first child Karen was born, in 1962, Arie and Pat moved to Corinth, Mississippi, where they began cultivating deep community roots. As they grew their family, later adding Chip and Mandy, Arie also grew professionally. He began his long career at ITT, starting as the Director of Personnel, and retiring as their Vice President and Director of Personnel, which was the perfect fit for someone with such a strong work ethic and deep love for people. After retirement, Arie continued to put those gifts to good use ministering to his community, including serving as a Deacon and Trustee at First Baptist Church in Corinth for many years. He also took responsibility for visitation in local retirement and assisted living facilities, and spent 17 years volunteering with Sharing Hearts, a free senior daycare program and ministry serving adults who have Alzheimer's disease, dementia, and other special needs.

He led with kindness, and whether it was a stranger in a store, or those nearest and dearest to him, he left a deep and lasting impression. Arie was devoted to his family, and ministering to his community brought him great joy, but if you asked him, he would say that the most important relationship in his life, above work and community, and even family, is with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Arie's greatest testimony was the way he lived. Watching how he interacted with everyone he came into contact with, you simply knew there was something special about his kindness and interest in people.

The night Arie passed away, the Northern Lights dipped far enough South to be visible from Corinth that evening. It appears a Heavenly celebration and reunion was underway.

Arie is survived by his loving children Karen Vance Kelly, Arie "Chip" Vance III, and Amanda "Mandy" Vance; his sons-in-laws Brian Kelly and Adam Burns; his daughter-in-law Susanna Haden Vance; his five grandchildren, Connor Kelly, Emma Kelly Stetler and husband Mason, Sara Vance Khankari and husband Nikhil, Rachel Vance and Jackson Vance, his great grandson Mohan Khankari; his dear friend Margaret Simpson, her children and her grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and a host of friends. He is preceded in death by his father Arie Vance; his mother Sadie Dowdy Vance; his wife Patricia "Pat" Jennings Vance; his brother William "Bill" Vance; and his sister-in-law Jesse Vance.

In lieu of gifts or flowers, please send donations in his memory to: First Baptist Church Corinth, Sharing Hearts, or Operation Christmas Child.